?Remarks by H.E. Annalena Baerbock

President of the 80th Session of the 91茄子 General Assembly

at the Meeting of the Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development

during the 58th session of the Economic Commission for Africa

28 March – 3 April 2026

Pre-recorded Message

 

Dear USG and Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa,

Ministers,

Excellencies,

Ladies and gentlemen,

 

From mobile money and drone deliveries to SMS-based learning and off-grid energy solutions—digital innovations across Africa are transforming everyday life.

 

They are bridging gaps in finance, healthcare, education, and infrastructure—expanding digital access and unlocking new opportunities for millions.

 

In today’s interconnected world, data and frontier technologies are powerful drivers of economic growth.

 

And increasingly, Africa is not just adopting these innovations—it is shaping them.

 

Allow me to highlight three priorities to harness this technological transition for inclusive and sustainable development.

 

First: investment.

 

Money talks and progress requires resources.

 

Sufficient investment in digital infrastructure, connectivity, and data systems is key to driving growth and leaving no one behind.

 

This also means investments across borders.

 

Regional integration means a larger, unified market—enabling digital trade, facilitating cross-border data flows, and fostering dynamic regional innovation ecosystems.

 

This, in turn, generates economies of scale and unlocks new pathways for growth.

 

The same goes for investing in people—with over 60 per cent of its population under the age of 25, Africa has the youngest population in the world.

 

Equipping this generation with digital skills will not only create a stronger workforce for African countries, it is also a win for regional and global growth, expanding the consumer base and increasing entrepreneurial opportunities.

 

And ensuring access for women and girls to digital education, technical skills training, and entrepreneurial support will be critical to closing gender divides and scaling inclusive innovation.

 

Second: governance.

 

Innovation can only be sustainable and inclusive if it is underpinned by effective governance.

 

This requires policies that protect data, encourage responsible innovation, and foster regional cooperation.

 

Strong data governance frameworks will be essential to ensure that data is used safely, equitably, and for the public good.

 

At the same time, greater policy coordination across countries will be critical—not only to strengthen regulation and enforcement, but also to create interoperable systems that allow digital solutions to scale seamlessly across borders.

 

And third: partnership.

 

As the African proverb reminds us: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

 

African innovation hubs and incubators from Cairo to Cape Town are creating vibrant ecosystems for entrepreneurs and startups.

 

International development and finance partners can support these efforts through investment, knowledge-sharing, and technology transfer, while African countries continue to lead with locally driven solutions and innovation.

 

Partnership also extends to the multilateral level—with knowledge sharing and inclusive dialogue to foster technology transfer, build institutional capacity, and bridge digital divides.

 

Together, these partnerships can accelerate innovation as a powerful engine for Africa’s economic transformation.

 

Excellencies,

 

The talent is there. The opportunity is clear.

 

In this regard, I wish you a productive session, and I look forward to the outcome of this important discussion.

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