Research ICT Africa is launching a Community of Practice (COP) as part of our Africa Digital Public Infrastructure Study, a multi-country research initiative that seeks to develop an African-led perspective on DPI policy, governance, investment, and implementation. The study aims to support evidence-based decision-making on DPI across the continent while contributing African perspectives to global discussions on the important topic.
As governments, development finance institutions, and international organisations increasingly invest in DPI, there is a growing need to ensure these investments are grounded in African realities, priorities, and development objectives. The COP provides a platform for collective learning, critical reflection, and knowledge exchange on what effective, inclusive, and sustainable DPI looks like across diverse African contexts.
Through four online engagements, the COP members will contribute insights, challenge assumptions, validate emerging findings, and share practical experiences from across African ecosystems. Discussion themes include:
- Reframing DPI in Africa: from infrastructure to public value;
- Mapping DPI systems, actors, and implementation realities;
- Country experiences, political economy dynamics, and investment choices; and
- Lessons from global DPI initiatives and their relevance to African contexts.
The COP will bring together experts and practitioners working across digital identity, payments, interoperability, public sector digital transformation, digital governance, public finance, civic technology and related fields.
By joining, participants will have the opportunity to contribute to shaping an African evidence base on DPI, engage with peers working across policy, implementation, research, and investment and help strengthen an emerging Global South community focused on DPI governance and public value.
Join the conversation
If you are actively working on DPI, and are interested in joining the COP, please complete the application form here.
