Tony Elumelu, the Chairman of United Bank for Africa (UBA) and founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, has called for urgent action to secure Africa’s digital sovereignty. Speaking at the VivaTech 2024 conference in Paris, one of the world’s leading tech gatherings, Elumelu emphasized the importance of Africa controlling its digital future by building independent technological infrastructure, fostering innovation, and reducing dependency on foreign technologies.
He highlighted that Africa’s growing youth population—expected to make up a third of the global youth by 2050—offers a significant demographic advantage. However, Elumelu warned that without digital sovereignty and robust digital infrastructure, the continent risks being left behind in the global digital economy.
Elumelu advocated for more investment in African tech startups, improved internet access, and the establishment of homegrown data centers and cloud services. He stressed the need for policies that protect African data and encourage local innovation, ensuring that digital wealth created on the continent benefits Africans themselves.
Drawing on UBA’s footprint across 20 African countries and his foundation’s work with over 15,000 entrepreneurs across the continent, Elumelu showcased examples of how African-led initiatives can drive digital transformation. He urged African governments, private sector players, and international partners to collaborate in creating a sustainable digital ecosystem that reflects African values and serves the continent’s development goals.
In addition to infrastructure and investment, Elumelu called for education reform to equip African youth with digital skills, ensuring they are not only consumers but also creators in the global tech space. He warned that continued dependence on foreign digital platforms and services risks compromising Africa’s data security, cultural identity, and economic future.
The UBA chairman concluded by stressing that Africa’s digital sovereignty is not merely a technological issue but a strategic imperative for economic empowerment, self-determination, and inclusive growth. His message resonated as a bold call for the continent to take ownership of its digital future and build resilience in an increasingly interconnected world.
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