Tech Diplomacy Symposium in Cape Town calls for Global South leadership in shaping digital governance

By:  Nana Appiah Acquaye

A high-level closed-door dialogue at the Tech Diplomacy Africa Symposium has underscored the need for the Global South, particularly Africa, to play a central role in shaping the rules of the emerging digital order.

The session, convened by the Tech Diplomacy Global Institute, brought together ministers, ambassadors, senior government officials, technology leaders, and multilateral stakeholders at the Cape Town International Convention Centre in Cape Town.

The discussions focused on the question of whether the Global South can move from being a participant to a co-author of global digital governance frameworks, particularly in areas such as artificial intelligence, data governance, infrastructure, and technology standards.

Opening the session, Ayumi Moore Aoki emphasized the importance of shifting the narrative from passive participation to active leadership, stating that Africa and the broader Global South possess the legitimacy and capability to influence the digital future.

Keynote speaker Tawfik Jelassi highlighted that the global digital order is currently being shaped through policy and technological decisions, and stressed the urgency for developing regions to assert their role in this process.

Eugenio V Garcia provided a diplomatic perspective, examining areas where the Global South holds strategic leverage and where greater alignment is needed to strengthen collective influence.

Contributors including Corneliu Bjola emphasized the need for strong institutions, strategic leadership, and coordinated coalitions to support effective tech diplomacy.

Participants explored scenarios for a future digital landscape shaped by Africa and the Global South, focusing on potential changes in governance structures, international partnerships, and technological infrastructure.

The dialogue concluded with a commitment to deepen collaboration and build coalitions aimed at advancing the Global South’s role in global digital governance, marking the beginning of continued engagement on tech diplomacy initiatives.