Latest news with #AfricanContinent
Mail & Guardian
a day ago
- Mail & Guardian
Digital ID is not digital colonialism – it's an investment in Africa's future
Africa is on the cusp of a digital transformation – and digital ID is the key to unlocking it. By the end of 2025, there will be 9.5 billion people on Earth, and 25% of these people will be African. By 2100, that number will rise to 4 in 10. Africa is also the youngest continent, with a median age of 18 and 40% of its population under 14. Empowering this generation means more than just smartphones and internet access – it means building the foundational infrastructure to enable people to participate in society, protect their rights, and access opportunities. Digital ID is one of those structures. With over 500 million Africans still lacking a formal ID, closing this gap represents one of the greatest opportunities for inclusive growth on the continent. There's already clear evidence of how safe, inclusive digital ID is driving development and improving citizens' lives across Africa, expanding access to healthcare, education, and financial services. This especially impacts those who have historically been excluded – from women without documentation to rural populations without access to banks. Several African countries have opted to transition their national ID systems into digital ID systems, providing more streamlined access to basic services, including education, healthcare, and social support payments. Ethiopia is adopting digital ID using MOSIP's open source ID platform, which not only guarantees national sovereignty but also aims to enrol at least 100 million Ethiopians. At Co-Develop, we work with governments and civil society to ensure digital ID systems are built in a way that earns trust. That includes supporting tools like MOSIP and contributing to frameworks like the UNDP Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) Safeguards, which help countries design infrastructure that protects rights from the start. This means embedding transparency, security, and accountability into every layer of system design—and involving the public in the process. Yet, there are still concerns and misconceptions surrounding digital ID, from fears of surveillance to claims of Western-driven agendas. These fears are not a reason to reject this technology. They signal a need for deeper engagement, so that we can overcome the barriers preventing Africans from enjoying the benefits of digital ID. What Africa needs now is an informed discourse about how digital ID can empower citizens, protect human rights, and drive inclusive growth, underpinned by robust safeguards. Some have argued that digital ID is a modern form of digital colonialism, shaped by external agendas and rooted in data extraction. But that misrepresents both the intent and the architecture of many of the systems being adopted across Africa. Open-source, safe-by-design platforms like MOSIP are designed with privacy, data minimization, and citizen control at their core. These platforms empower countries to adopt digital ID systems tailored to national laws and values and to store data under their control, forgoing dependence on private vendors or foreign entities. What is more, it's increasingly clear that African governments, technologists, and civil society are at the forefront of efforts to improve governance around digital ID systems, not passive actors. Initiatives like ID4Africa demonstrate that countries across the continent are shaping digital ID systems on their own terms, grounded in local priorities, values, and debate. At the ID4Africa 2025 AGM, both state and civil society actors from countries across Africa converged in Addis Ababa to have a constructive discourse on digital ID and how we can prioritize its use while accelerating impact. Representatives from over 48 African countries were present at this year's event, showcasing the importance of this conversation to both Governments and the enabling ecosystem. Ultimately, every new technology offers a chance to explore new frontiers that can accelerate economic growth and societal progress. With South Africa's G20 presidency this year, the continent has an unprecedented opportunity to not only scale adoption of digital ID and DPI but to shape the global governance around them. The real question is not whether we should build digital ID systems. Rather, it's about how we build them and who they serve. It is therefore critical to increase efforts to inform Africans about digital ID, highlighting both the benefits and the challenges that need to be responsibly addressed. If we don't encourage transparent and honest debate, we risk alienating people from transformative technology to the detriment of Africa's future.
See - Sada Elbalad
2 days ago
- Business
- See - Sada Elbalad
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration launches a comprehensive study on the investment map in Africa
Basant Ahmed As part of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration's interest in the African continent and its contribution to opening new markets for Egyptian products in Africa, supporting the activity of Egyptian companies, and implementing development projects in various African countries, the Egyptian Agency of Partnership for Development (EAPD) has prepared a comprehensive study, the first of its kind, entitled "The Investment Map of the African Continent," which aims to inform the private sector and Egyptian businessmen of investment opportunities. The study includes basic information on various African countries and the laws regulating investment therein, as well as the national institutions and bodies responsible for investment, thus contributing to supporting the private sector and Egyptian businessmen interested in investing in Africa. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration coordinates with various relevant national authorities to enhance the role of the Egyptian private sector, taking advantage of promising investment opportunities in various African markets, contributing to supporting African development aspirations and strengthening Egyptian-African relations. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream Technology 50-Year Soviet Spacecraft 'Kosmos 482' Crashes into Indian Ocean
Mail & Guardian
07-05-2025
- Business
- Mail & Guardian
Make South Africa great again: The GNU as a catalyst for hope and reform
The government of national unity was formed after the ANC lost its outright parliament majority in May 2024 general elections.(@PresidencyZA/X) South Africa stands at a crossroads, where the 2024 elections have reshaped its political landscape, ushering in an era of coalition governance through the government of national unity (GNU). With no single party securing a majority, the GNU has emerged not merely as a political compromise but as a vital mechanism for fostering accountability, inclusivity and progress. While scepticism surrounds coalition politics, the GNU model has proved capable of forcing parties to negotiate, collaborate and — critically — compete to serve the public interest, ensuring that citizens ultimately benefit from robust policy debates and consensus-driven decisions. An example of this dynamic unfolded during recent discussions over the proposed VAT increase. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana's suggestion to raise VAT by 0.5 percentage points faced fierce opposition from across the political spectrum. Within the GNU, the Democratic Alliance (DA) and Freedom Front Plus staunchly opposed the hike, arguing it would burden already struggling households, while the ANC and smaller parties such as ActionSA and Build One South Africa initially supported it. Even outside the GNU, the Economic Freedom Fighters joined the resistance, creating a rare alignment of diverse voices against the measure. The resulting negotiations forced the ANC to abandon the proposal, demonstrating how coalition politics can prioritise public welfare over unilateral decision-making. The VAT debate underscores the broader strengths of the GNU model, which fosters policy stability, inclusivity and innovation. The GNU reduces the risk of abrupt policy shifts, ensuring long-term planning and continuity by requiring parties to seek consensus. It amplifies diverse voices, preventing marginalisation and promoting equitable representation. Moreover, the constant scrutiny inherent in coalition politics holds parties accountable, discouraging complacency and corruption. This environment of negotiation often yields creative, balanced solutions to complex challenges, as seen in the VAT compromise. Internationally, coalition governments have proved successful in stabilising nations and driving prosperity. Kenya's unity government, formed after the 2007 election crisis, restored public trust and laid the groundwork for economic recovery. Luxembourg's post-World War II national union government brought together all the major parties to rebuild the nation, while Malaysia's 2022 unity government has been credited with enhancing political stability and investor confidence. These examples illustrate how power-sharing arrangements can transform volatility into opportunity, even in deeply divided societies. In South Africa, coalition governance at the municipal level has yielded mixed results. In Johannesburg and Tshwane, infighting among coalition partners has occasionally stalled service delivery, while Nelson Mandela Bay's coalition collapsed due to ideological clashes. However, these challenges do not negate the model's potential. In contrast to single-party dominance — which often breeds complacency and corruption — coalitions compel parties to negotiate and compromise. For instance, in Cape Town, DA-led coalitions have maintained relatively stable service delivery compared to ANC-run municipalities. The GNU offers a blueprint for local governments — fragmented councils with no outright majority can drive competition to serve citizens better. While imperfect, coalition governments reduce the risk of authoritarian policymaking and increase accountability. As South Africa approaches the 2026 elections, voters are likely to reward parties that demonstrate tangible results, particularly in addressing unemployment, crime and infrastructure decay. The alternative — a return to single-party rule — risks entrenching the very failures that have eroded public trust. The DA's hands-on approach in the GNU is resonating with voters. Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber has tackled corruption head-on, firing incompetent officials and collaborating with law enforcement to arrest those implicated in fraudulent activities. While specific cases of arrests under Schreiber require verification (as recent reports focus on broader departmental reforms), his aggressive stance against graft aligns with public demands for accountability. Such actions are likely to bolster the DA's support in the 2026 local elections, particularly in municipalities where service delivery failures dominate voter concerns. The GNU represents more than a political experiment — it is a social contract that prioritises collective progress over partisan ambition for South Africa. While challenges like slow decision-making and political brinkmanship persist, the alternative of single party dominance or perpetual gridlock offers far fewer benefits. The VAT debate exemplifies how the GNU can channel competing interests into outcomes that serve the broader public. South Africans are choosing a future defined by cooperation, accountability and shared prosperity through embracing this model. In a nation yearning for renewal, the GNU is not just a pathway to progress; it is the only viable hope for a united, thriving South Africa where every citizen's voice matters. Lindokuhle Tonono is an honours student at the University of South Africa.
