Launch of D4D European-African hub

Digitisation as a lever for development. That is the purpose of the D4D hub that the European Union and the African Union are launching today. With this project, Europe wants to boost the digital economy in Africa. Belgium, as one of the founding fathers, is backing the joint initiative.

In recent years, thousands of digital start-ups have seen the light of day in countries such as Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa, the so-called Silicon Savannah of Africa. The start-ups come up with refreshing ideas and innovations, and are becoming an increasingly important source of human and economic growth. A trend that has not escaped Belgian development policy either. That is why former Minister of Development Cooperation Alexander De Croo launched the D4D platform in 2016. The purpose of the platform is to bring together companies, organisations and projects that focus on digitisation in order to increase the effectiveness of the development policy.

Belgian example

At European level, Belgium has always been the pioneer in the field of Digital for Development. For example, Belgium took the initiative to place Digital for Development on the European agenda with 17 European Member States. And successfully so. The European Commission now supports the initiative and will roll it out at European level together with the African Union.

Cooperation

Cooperation between different partners lies at the heart of the initiative, not only between the public and private sectors, but also with civil society, education and academia.

Alexander De Croo, Prime Minister: "Our future is more digital than ever. The world around us is changing faster and faster. Not only here in Belgium and the West, but all over the world. The vibrant startup scene in Africa shows that there is also another Africa, a young, enterprising and innovative Africa that embraces the future and wants to move forward. The European D4D initiative will bring people and SMEs even closer together. Digitisation and a dynamic private sector are important links for sustainable development".