Sanari invited to digital coalition roundtable with US Vice President Kamala Harris

By Samantha Pokroy

Excited to share my experience being invited to the digital coalition roundtable with US Vice President Kamala Harris in Lusaka in February 2024, where we discussed the Digital Transformation with Africa (DTA) Initiative. Her remarks highlighted the vast potential for digital solutions in Africa, but also the need to address the gaps and challenges in achieving digital transformation. She called for action from the private sector and philanthropic community to support the DTA initiative and work alongside the government to achieve its goals.

We know that AI and other digital technologies present both an opportunity and a threat. They offer the potential to leapfrog and get ahead, but without full digital access and literacy, falling behind is a real risk. Therefore the role of governments, DFIs, foundations and large corporate in creating equal digital access is foundational.

As the only representative of private equity and venture capital in the room, I emphasized the need to include medium-sized and mid-market businesses (and not just large corporates or micro enterprises) in any initiative aimed at addressing the digital divide on the African continent.

I highlighted that Africa’s business and economy are primarily made up of hundreds of thousands of medium-sized businesses, some of which are young start-ups and many of which have been around for generations and are family-owned or owner-managed. These businesses will play a crucial role in bridging the digital divide on the continent.

With the growing business complexity linked to technology advancements, climate change, geopolitical shifts, and high interest rate and inflation conditions, it is important to have active capital partners with shared ownership, shared responsibility, expertise and experience to partner these businesses in navigating the challenges of the times. Private equity and venture capital should be engaged to play an active role in support of DTA.

Vice President Harris said, “So the investments that we make today have the potential to turn the challenges we face into great opportunities that will have generational and global impact. That is the moment that we are in right now.” She expressed her optimism about the future of the African continent and the impact it will have on the rest of the world. I share her view, and I look forward to being part of a solution that will ensure Africa is not left behind in the digital age.