Tarek Shabaka: Africa stands at a critical crossroad in its digital transformation journey, and the digital economy accounts for 5% of the continent’s total GDP.

Kwesi Atuahena: The convening of FDC Summit in Ghana is a true beginning for continental cooperation in supporting digital transformation.

 In astrategic move reflecting Africa’s accelerating shift toward the digital economy, the regional platform for the digital industry, FDC Summit, announced the launch of its first African edition in the Ghanaian capital, Accra, in cooperation with the Africa Center for Digital Transformation (ACDT).

This step aligns with the Summit’s ambitious strategy to strengthen its position on the global map of specialized exhibitions and conferences, and coincides with Ghana’s rapid growth as a regional hub for digital policy and technological innovation, aiming to pave the way for a new phase of African integration in shaping a shared digital future.
The selection of Accra as the host city stems from its strategic importance within the African continent, combining a geographic location that connects West Africa with the rest of the continent and a forward-looking national vision that places cybersecurity and digital inclusion at the heart of its national strategies. It also hosts the Africa Center for Digital Transformation, which serves as a continental think tank for research production and policy formulation.
Commenting on this statement, Eng. Tarek Shabaka, Chairman of the Advisory Board of FDC Summit, said: “Africa today stands at a critical digital crossroads, as estimates indicate that our continental digital economy could account for more than 5% of Africa’s GDP within less than two years — an achievement that would have been unimaginable a decade ago.”
He added: “We chose the Ghanaian capital, Accra, because it represents an inspiring African model of a government that views digitalization as a developmental necessity rather than a luxury. We hope that FDC Summit in Ghana will evolve into a platform that translates this ambition into tangible policies and places Africa at the center of the global conversation on the future of technology.”
From his part, Kwesi Atuahena, President of the Africa Center for Digital Transformation, stated: “Accra’s hosting of the first edition of FDC Summit is not merely a regional event; it marks the beginning of a new phase of African cooperation in the field of digital transformation.”
He added: “We are proud to partner with FDC Summit in organizing this event, which primarily aims to serve as a bridge to close the digital divide that still prevents millions from participating in the digital economy. This occasion will place Africa in a position of leadership rather than dependency, allowing us to craft a distinctly African vision for our digital priorities.”
According to statistics from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the digital economy in Africa is expected to reach approximately USD 180 billion by the end of 2025, representing more than 5% of the continent’s GDP, with opportunities to multiply several times in the following years. International institutions estimate that more than 600,000 registered companies and over 40 million small enterprises could directly benefit from digitalization.
It is worth noting that since its first edition, FDC Summit’s vision has been based on transforming promises and strategies into tangible, actionable projects by bringing together all components of the digital ecosystem and linking relevant sectors.
The Summit’s expansion to Ghana marks the beginning of its evolution into a regional and global platform that supports Egypt’s vision for integrated digital transformation and international and regional connectivity in priority areas.