The Smart Africa Secretariat has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Certa Foundation to advance digital governance, innovation policy and regulatory capacity across the continent, marking a significant step towards implementing the goals of the Africa AI Declaration.
The partnership seeks to help African governments and institutions better harness artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies to drive economic growth, strengthen governance structures and improve digital competitiveness.
Officials from both organisations say the collaboration will provide targeted technical support for policymakers, regulators and public institutions, while also nurturing a new generation of youth policymakers who can shape the continent’s digital future.
“Digital transformation cannot succeed without strong governance. Through this partnership with Certa Foundation, Smart Africa is strengthening Africa’s capacity to design policies and regulatory frameworks that will shape our digital future,” said Lacina Koné, Director General and Chief Executive Officer, Smart Africa.
What you need to know
The initiative aligns with Smart Africa’s continental mandate to accelerate digital transformation across Africa.
The organisation has increasingly positioned itself as a central platform for coordinating digital policy among African countries.
Through the agreement, the two organisations aim to strengthen the work of the Smart Africa AI Council, which operates under the leadership of the Smart Africa Steering Committee and plays a strategic role in shaping Africa’s position within the global artificial intelligence ecosystem.
By supporting research, policy development and regulatory training, the partnership is expected to help African governments develop the frameworks required to safely deploy AI technologies while encouraging innovation.
Addressing Africa’s digital infrastructure gaps
The collaboration also builds on the Certa Foundation’s research and advocacy work on innovative digital governance models.
One of its key contributions is a 2025 position paper exploring the concept of “data embassies”, a system that allows countries to store critical digital infrastructure and data in secure locations outside their physical borders.
Advocates say such arrangements could help African countries mitigate risks associated with limited digital infrastructure and improve resilience in the event of cyber threats or infrastructure failures.
In addition to its policy research, the foundation has also focused on gender inclusion in technology, mentorship programmes and advocacy aimed at strengthening the participation of women in digital policymaking.
Supporting policymakers, regulators and young innovators
Under the terms of the agreement, the two organisations will collaborate on a range of initiatives designed to strengthen Africa’s digital governance ecosystem.
These include conducting policy research to inform high-level decision-making, organising strategic consultations with pan-African stakeholders and delivering technical training for regulators, policymakers and justice-sector actors.
The partnership will also provide mentorship and support for innovators through programmes such as the Smart Women and Girls in ICT Initiative, an initiative aimed at empowering women and girls across Africa to pursue careers and leadership roles in information and communication technology.
Both organisations say these efforts are intended to foster a more inclusive regulatory environment capable of supporting Africa’s fast-growing digital economy.
Accelerating Africa’s digital competitiveness
According to Smart Africa’s leadership, the collaboration reflects the growing recognition that digital transformation must be supported by strong governance frameworks. For the Certa Foundation, the agreement represents an opportunity to translate research into practical policy implementation.
“Our strategic partnership with Smart Africa is a huge step in the journey to digital sovereignty. The research we published on Data Embassies was a starting point on our roadmap. This joint-effort partnership is where that work becomes real. Africa does not need to wait for someone else to build its digital future,” said Florida Kabasinga, Founder and Executive Director, Certa Foundation.
Both organisations say the MoU marks the beginning of a long-term collaboration focused on building shared knowledge and developing innovative solutions to the continent’s digital sovereignty challenges.
“From AI governance to innovations like data embassies, Africa must build the institutions and expertise needed to secure its digital sovereignty and compete in the global digital economy,” Koné added.
As African governments accelerate digital adoption and invest more heavily in AI, experts say initiatives such as this partnership could play a key role in ensuring that the continent develops the governance frameworks needed to support sustainable and inclusive digital growth.
Talking Points
The partnership between the Smart Africa Secretariat and the Certa Foundation is a timely move as African countries increasingly recognise that technological advancement must be matched with strong governance and regulatory capacity.
At a time when artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping global economies, Africa cannot afford to lag in building the institutional frameworks that guide how these technologies are developed, deployed and regulated.
At Techparley, we see this collaboration as part of a broader shift where African institutions are taking more proactive steps to shape the continent’s digital future rather than simply reacting to global technological trends.
However, the real impact of the partnership will depend on how effectively its ideas translate into actionable policies across African countries. Policy alignment, regulatory cooperation and sustained investment in institutional capacity will be critical to ensuring that the initiative delivers tangible outcomes.
If successfully implemented, the Smart Africa–Certa Foundation collaboration could strengthen Africa’s position in the global AI economy while laying the groundwork for a more resilient, inclusive and competitive digital ecosystem across the continent.
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