Johannesburg, South Africa – 22 July 2025 – The African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), in collaboration with the GSMA, convened a strategic meeting to deepen collaborations and accelerate digital transformation and improve e-governance in Africa.
The discussions focused on aligning the two organisations' efforts to advance digital governance, bridge the digital divide, and promote inclusive, sustainable development through technology. Emphasis was placed on practical policies and actions that deliver measurable impact at the grassroots level.
The APRM acknowledged that the digital policy expertise and stakeholder engagement capabilities of GSMA and APHRC (African Population and Health Research Center) align strongly with the Mechanism’s vision to bridge the gap between research evidence and policy implementation. This collaboration is especially timely, given the shared urgency among all parties to close Africa’s digital divide. Despite widespread mobile broadband coverage, 59% of Africans remain unconnected, underscoring the need for harmonised policies and resilient infrastructure to drive inclusive digital growth.
Ambassador Marie-Antoinette Rose-Quatre, CEO of the APRM, highlighted that current data show a disconnect between governance initiatives and tangible development outcomes, with limited impact at the grassroots level. She emphasized the urgent need to harness technology to develop and implement collaborative solutions that genuinely deliver benefits to citizens across Africa. Ambassador Rose-Quatre also underscored the critical role of strategic partnerships in advancing digital governance on the continent. “The collaboration with GSMA will be strategic in advancing Africa’s ability to deliver real impact in transformative governance through digital governance by being evidence-based, youth responsive and data-driven, she added.”
Dr. McBride Nkhalamba, Acting Director of Governance and Specialised Reporting at the APRM Continental Secretariat, provided a comprehensive overview of the APRM’s governance framework and outlined how the joint action workplan would support and enhance APRM’s efforts to advance e-governance objectives. He highlighted e-governance prospects for APRM, particularly through the integration of existing digital initiatives within the broader African Governance Architecture framework.
Jibril Ibrahim-Kano, APRM e-Governance Lead Expert, recognised the urgent governance challenges facing the continent, including inadequate infrastructure, lack of interoperability, the persistent digital divide, insufficient digital skills, and complications within the regulatory framework. He stressed the importance of resolving these issues to enable Africa to achieve meaningful progress in governance.
Anthony Mveyange, Director of Programs Synergy, and Angela Wamola, Head of GSMA Africa commended the collaboration, noting that APHRC, GSMA, and APRM will jointly focus on the key issues and barriers that hinder digital inclusion. Together, they aim to drive meaningful change across the African continent.
As part of the collaboration, APRM, APHRC, and GSMA agreed on a joint workplan outlining the following key actions:
- Joint development of an e-governance framework and indicators to guide digital governance efforts across the continent;
- Collaborative research, publications, and projects focused on advancing e-governance in Africa;
- Joint participation and visibility at global and regional events to amplify their collective impact and influence;
- Coordinated advocacy initiatives aimed at driving policy reforms and harmonisation at both regional and national levels, accelerating digital transformation across Africa.
Looking ahead, the three organisations agreed that by promoting a more inclusive and digitally connected Africa, which addresses its fundamental governance and digital transformation challenges, Africa can develop a digital economy with better economic growth, innovation, and livelihoods.
For media inquiries or further information, please contact the APRM Continental Secretariat at info@aprm-au.org
