In a commentary article published by Business Day (South Africa), Busani Ngcaweni and UNU Rector Tshilidzi Marwala discuss how African governments must work collectively under the African Union's frameworks to prioritize investments in digital infrastructure, foster public-private partnerships and align national policies with continental strategies.
"The Digital transformation has become an essential pillar of effective governance, particularly as governments grapple with complex challenges like cyberthreats, unemployment, climate change and resource scarcity.
"In this context, artificial intelligence (AI) offers transformative potential, reshaping governance, service delivery and citizen engagement. For African nations such as SA, the opportunity to harness AI and digital transformation is critical not only for global competitiveness, but also for achieving inclusive growth and socioeconomic development.
"The AU has recognised this opportunity by championing initiatives such as the Africa Digital Transformation Strategy 2020-30, the Africa Digital Compact, and the Continental AI Strategy. These frameworks provide a road map for member states to align their efforts and collectively build a digitally inclusive, AI-driven future. SA, with its robust digital transformation efforts can play a pivotal role in this continental endeavour."
Suggested citation: Busani Ngcaweni, Marwala Tshilidzi. "AI’s Critical Digital Transformation Role in Public Governance," United Nations University, UNU Centre, 2024-12-11, https://unu.edu/article/ais-critical-digital-transformation-role-public-governance.