By Edrine Wanyama |

Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) which comprises digital identity systems, payment platforms, and interoperable government databases is rapidly changing governance across Africa. The systems are now central to streamlining public service delivery, modernizing administration, and fostering financial inclusion by facilitating limitless interactions, information exchange between governments, businesses, and citizens and improving service delivery.

In a recent brief by the Digital Rights Alliance Africa (DRAA), reasons for civil society engagement in DPI governance are advanced. The brief highlights the justifications for CSOs’ influence in policy design, system implementation, and oversight in DPI. It underscores that strengthening civil society preparedness is essential for good and strengthened democracy, human rights protection, the promotion of inclusive participation and the promotion of accountable governance across Africa.

The key entry points for CSO according to the brief include; policy development, system design and procurement, human rights impact assessment, implementation and monitoring and public participation and consultation. These are necessary for more effective DPI.

Despite the benefits presented by DPI, the brief presents some of the potential societal risks that are poised by DPI including the exacerbation of digital inequalities, privacy breaches, and the consolidation of centralized control over citizen data.

The brief therefore calls for robust safeguards against potential perpetuation of digital inequalities, data and privacy breaches especially among populations lacking digital credentials or reliable connectivity. 

To foster effective influence of CSOs in this transition, the brief calls for a shift from reactive advocacy to proactive engagements. These processes among others should extend to building of technical and legal capacity, participation in policy consultations, monitoring the implementation of digital rollouts and accountability, educating and empowering communities and fostering regional collaboration to share expertise. 

Hence, the key action recommendations fronted for CSOs include:

• Developing expertise in digital governance, data protection, cybersecurity, and DPI architecture.
• Strengthening internal capacity enables CSOs to engage meaningfully in technical and policy discussions.
• Participating in consultations, legislative processes, and technical working groups related to digital identity, data governance, and digital public services. Early engagement is critical to embedding inclusion, transparency, and rights protections.
• Tracking DPI rollouts, procurement processes, and data governance practices. Use tools such as shadow reporting, parliamentary engagement, and strategic litigation to hold authorities accountable where necessary.
• Promoting digital rights literacy so that citizens understand how DPI systems affect their rights, participation, and access to services. Public awareness strengthens democratic oversight.
• Build coalitions across Africa to share expertise, coordinate advocacy, and leverage regional human rights frameworks such as the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the Malabo Convention, and relevant African Commission standards.

Please read the full Brief here