Estonia and Smart Africa Forge Partnership to Strengthen Digital Public Infrastructure
Through this collaboration, the parties will work together to support digital public infrastructure, innovation ecosystems, digital skills, and entrepreneurship across Smart Africa’s 42 member states.
The Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV) and Smart Africa have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation in digital transformation, innovation, and capacity development across Africa.
The partnership aims to combine Estonia’s internationally recognised digital expertise with Smart Africa’s continental vision for inclusive and sustainable digital development. Through this collaboration, the parties will work together to support digital public infrastructure, innovation ecosystems, digital skills, and entrepreneurship across Smart Africa’s 42 member states.
Speaking at the MOU signing event in Brussels, ESTDEV’s Executive Director Andrea Kivi explained that for Estonia, digital transformation is not just a policy priority but something we have built and lived in practice.
“Our experience has shown that secure, interoperable, people‑centred digital systems can transform how societies function and how governments serve their citizens. This is the expertise we are honoured to share through this partnership. Smart Africa has been a powerful driver of digital cooperation across the continent, shaping a shared vision for an innovative, connected, and digitally empowered Africa. Today’s MoU reflects our shared ambition to turn that vision into implementable action.”
– Andrea Kivi, Executive Director, ESTDEV
The cooperation will focus on several strategic areas, including digital trust and identity frameworks, cybersecurity, digital governance, startup ecosystems, women-led innovation, and STEM education for girls. The partnership will also support the adoption of interoperable and reusable digital public infrastructure and digital public goods across Africa.
“For Smart Africa, this partnership with ESTDEV reflects a shared ambition to build Africa’s digital future on the foundations of trust, innovation, and digital sovereignty. Together, we are strengthening the capacity of African institutions and ecosystems to ensure that the continent is not only connected to the global digital economy but empowered to shape it on its own terms.”
– Lacina Koné, CEO, Smart Africa
As part of the agreement, ESTDEV and Smart Africa will collaborate on capacity-building programmes for public sector leaders, ICT professionals, entrepreneurs, and youth. The initiative will draw on Estonia’s experience as one of the world’s leading digital societies and support knowledge exchange between Estonian and African institutions, experts, and innovation communities.
The partnership also seeks to strengthen cooperation with international donors and Team Europe partners to scale impact and support Africa’s digital transformation agenda through joint initiatives, conferences, missions, and collaborative programmes.
“This partnership reflects a shared commitment to building inclusive, secure, and innovative digital societies. By combining African leadership and ambition with Estonia’s digital expertise, we can support practical solutions that create long-term impact.”
– Katrin Winter, Head of Partnerships and New Initiatives, ESTDEV
The collaboration will support flagship Smart Africa initiatives, including the Smart Africa Trust Alliance, Smart Africa Digital Academy, Smart Africa Network of Incubators and Accelerators, and Smart Africa Gender Programme.
