South Africa inaugurates an acceleration center to boost digital transformation in Africa
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In September 2023, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) announced the creation of a global network of acceleration centers aimed at supporting digital transformation worldwide. South Africa was selected among the host countries for one of these strategic hubs.
On Friday, March 6, the country officially inaugurated the African Digital Transformation Center (ADTC) in Pretoria. The center is hosted within The Innovation Hub, the innovation agency of the Gauteng Province, which serves as one of the country’s leading technology clusters.
The ADTC is designed as a platform dedicated to technological innovation, digital skills development, and the growth of African start-ups. Through this initiative, the center aims to support tech entrepreneurs, strengthen the capabilities of public institutions, and foster collaboration between governments, universities, and private-sector stakeholders. The broader ambition is to help position the continent not only as a consumer of technology but also as a producer of digital solutions tailored to its unique realities.
According to the South African Department of Communications and Digital Technologies, the country’s commitment to digital transformation is supported by several key policy frameworks. These include the National Digital Economy Masterplan, the draft National Artificial Intelligence Policy Framework, initiatives related to the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), and broader alignment with the African Union’s Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa (2020–2030).
A Strategic Partnership with the ITU
The project is led by the South African Ministry of Communications and Digital Technologies in partnership with the International Telecommunication Union. The UN specialized agency launched the Acceleration Centers initiative in 2023 with the objective of strengthening local capabilities to drive innovation, entrepreneurship, and competitiveness through digitalization.
Out of the 18 centers included in the ITU’s global acceleration network, seven will be located in African countries: Gabon, Kenya, Malawi, Senegal, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, and South Africa.
These centers will provide training programs, mentorship opportunities, and tailored support for start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises operating in the technology sector.
When announcing the initiative in 2023, Cosmas Zavazava, Director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) at the ITU, stated that the network would enable countries “to take well-considered and concrete steps to unlock innovation for sustainable digital transformation.”
Beyond supporting entrepreneurs, the ADTC also aims to assist African governments in designing public policies that encourage digital innovation and strengthen the continent’s technological ecosystem.
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