Equatorial Guinea Urged to Boost Digital Economy with World Bank-Recommended Actions
Introduction
In an effort to accelerate its digital transformation push, the government of Equatorial Guinea has been advised by a World Bank team to undertake several immediate actions. These recommendations are aimed at building a robust and vibrant digital economy in line with the World Bank’s Digital Economy for Africa (DE4A) initiative.
The Importance of Digital Transformation
The DE4A was launched to support Africa’s digital transformation strategy and ensure a digitally-enabled Africa by 2030. The report assesses five foundational pillars on which Equatorial Guinea’s digital economy efforts rest, including:
- Digital Infrastructure: A robust digital infrastructure is essential for the growth of a digital economy.
- Digital Public Platforms: Digital public platforms can improve access to information and services for citizens.
- Digital Financial Services: Digital financial services can enhance financial inclusion and reduce poverty.
- Digital Business: A thriving digital business environment can create jobs and stimulate economic growth.
- Digital Skills: Developing a digitally skilled workforce is crucial for the success of a digital economy.
World Bank Recommendations
The World Bank team identified several gaps in these pillars and proposed ways to close them. The recommendations include:
Setting up a Digital Identity System
Implementing a digital identity system can help public entities cut their dependence on manual documents for identification and avoid inefficiencies and fraud opportunities.
Streamlining the Digital Civil Registry
Streamlining the digital civil registry can enhance the overall efficiency of the public sector by promoting a more integrated and collaborative approach.
Implementing a National Interoperability Framework
Implementing a national interoperability framework can promote a more integrated and collaborative approach, enhancing the overall efficiency of the public sector.
Developing Digital Payment Infrastructure
Developing digital payment infrastructure using a whole-of-government approach can enhance financial inclusion and reduce poverty.
Strengthening Digital Trade Efforts
Strengthening digital trade efforts by drawing up a roadmap for an inclusive digital entrepreneurship environment can create jobs and stimulate economic growth.
Adopting Practical Measures
Adopting practical measures such as a national ICT education policy to ensure that most of the country’s population is digitally skilled is crucial for the success of a digital economy.
Conclusion
Implementing these comprehensive reforms across the five pillars and addressing key cross-cutting issues will be crucial in making Equatorial Guinea’s economy more buoyant. The government has been advised to implement a digital identity system, which could help public entities cut their dependence on manual documents for identification and avoid inefficiencies and fraud opportunities.
The report also recommends implementing a national interoperability framework, which could enhance the overall efficiency of the public sector by promoting a more integrated and collaborative approach. Last year, Equatorial Guinea launched a biometric enrollment drive for public servants in a move that seeks to ensure that all those earning from the government payroll actually deserve to do so.
Equatorial Guinea’s digital economy push is crucial in ensuring that the country meets its 2035 National Development Plan objectives of reducing poverty, improving financial inclusion, and creating jobs. The World Bank team’s recommendations will be essential in guiding the government’s efforts to build a robust and vibrant digital economy.