The Future Digital Countries (FDC) Summit 2026 recently hosted a high-level roundtable discussion on "Digital Integration Diplomacy in Africa" in Cairo, Egypt. The event brought together ambassadors and representatives from 11 African diplomatic missions accredited to Egypt, led by Ambassador Mohamed Karim Sharif, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for African Affairs. The discussion aimed to enhance dialogue and coordination between Egypt and African countries on digital integration.
The roundtable focused on transforming continental digital frameworks and policies into practical pathways that support digital integration, promote investment and digital trade, and enhance cooperation in cybersecurity, data, and emerging technologies. Participants included Ahmed Tarek Fawzi, Commercial Counselor and Deputy Chief Negotiator of Egypt to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and Mahmoud Safrata, Deputy Chairman of the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA) for IT market development.
The discussion centered on reducing the gap between adopting continental digital frameworks and translating them into national-level implementation mechanisms. This would enable African countries to leverage opportunities in the digital economy. Participants reviewed recent developments in the continental digital landscape, including the African Continental Free Trade Area's digital trade protocol and the African Union's cybersecurity and personal data protection convention.
The strategy for artificial intelligence and the African Union's data policy framework were also discussed. Participants explored ways to enhance coordination between continental frameworks and national policies to build a more integrated African digital environment that attracts investment. The roundtable lasted two hours, focusing on three main interconnected areas: digital infrastructure, digital trade, and cyber diplomacy.
Trust and practical cooperation among countries, missions, and institutions were identified as essential for advancing digital integration, facilitating cross-border digital trade, and enhancing cooperation in addressing cyber risks and data governance challenges. The discussion resulted in an agreement to prepare a concise closing document, tentatively titled "Cairo Document for African Digital Integration and Trust."
The document will be based on key insights and points of agreement from the roundtable and will outline priorities and challenges related to the African digital integration agenda. The document's main outcomes are expected to be discussed at the African Science City forum, scheduled for October 2-4, 2026. This will allow for broader dialogue on the issues addressed during the roundtable and support continued African consultation on building a more connected and integrated digital economy.
The roundtable was attended by ambassadors and representatives from various African countries, including Angola, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, and Tanzania. The FDC Summit 2026 aims to promote dialogue and cooperation on digital integration and cybersecurity in Africa.
Key points
- The FDC Summit 2026 roundtable discussion resulted in an agreement to prepare the "Cairo Document for African Digital Integration and Trust."
- The document will outline priorities and challenges related to the African digital integration agenda.
- The African Science City forum will discuss the document's main outcomes in October 2026.
