African Transformation Report 2021 Integrating to Transform Published By The African Center for EconomicTransformation is a pan-African economic policy institute supporting Africa’s long-term growth through transformation. We produce research, offer policy advice, and convene key stakeholders so that African countries are better positioned for smart, inclusive, and sustainable development. Based in Accra, Ghana, we have worked in nearly two dozen African countries since our founding in 2008. Contact African Center for Economic Transformation (ACET) Ghana Mailing address United States Office Location Cantonments 1776 K Street, NW 7 Yiyiwa Drive PMB CT 4 Suite 200 Abelemkpe, Accra - Ghana Accra, Ghana Washington DC Digital address: GA-123-5982 20006 Phone: +233 (0) 0242436858 Phone +1 202 833 1919 E-mail: [email protected] Web: acetforafrica.org Cover Photograph Shutterstock | Freepik | Unsplash Design Dilucidar - www.dilucidar.com Copyright © 2021 The African Center for Economic Transformation Integrating to Transform Contents ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .......................................................................................................................... IV FOREWORD ............................................................................................................................................... VII PREFACE ....................................................................................................................................................VIII OVERVIEW ....................................................................................................................................................1 01. CREATING JOBS FOR YOUNG AFRICANS .................................................................................. 45 Africa’s youth bulge ..................................................................................................................................................................46 Equipping the workforce of tomorrow: education and skills ....................................................................................49 Improving educational outcomes .........................................................................................................................................................................49 Shifting focus in education from quantity to quality ...................................................................................................................................51 Harnessing the power of new technologies ...................................................................................................................................................52 Putting Africa’s young people to work ...............................................................................................................................53 Modernizing agriculture ..............................................................................................................................................................................................53 Expanding export-oriented manufacturing ....................................................................................................................................................56 Digitizing services ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................56 Harnessing tourism ......................................................................................................................................................................................................57 Supporting the emerging creative economy .................................................................................................................................................58 Promoting unfettered regional labor mobility .................................................................................................................................................58 Accelerating Africa’s demographic transition ................................................................................................................61 Reducing mortality ........................................................................................................................................................................................................61 Promoting the fertility transition.............................................................................................................................................................................62 Priorities for action ....................................................................................................................................................................64 Scaling up education and skills training ............................................................................................................................................................64 Creating opportunities for productive employment ...................................................................................................................................65 Increasing regional collaboration for labor mobility ....................................................................................................................................66 Accelerating the demographic transition .........................................................................................................................................................67 References ..................................................................................................................................................................................68 End notes ......................................................................................................................................................................................71 02. FOSTERING DIGITAL INNOVATION ............................................................................................... 73 Africa’s digital and innovation landscape .........................................................................................................................75 Africa’s digital and innovation ecosystems ......................................................................................................................77 Tech hubs ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................77 Corporate trailblazers ...................................................................................................................................................................................................79 E-commerce ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................80 E-agriculture ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................81 E-government .................................................................................................................................................................................................................84 Barriers to, and opportunities for, innovation and digital transformation .......................................................................................86 Innovation and digital opportunity from COVID-19 ....................................................................................................................................88 i ACET African Transformation Report 2021 Broad policy agenda for innovation and digital initiatives ..........................................................................................89 Comprehensive national strategies .....................................................................................................................................................................91 Updating policies and regulations ........................................................................................................................................................................93 Keeping markets open ................................................................................................................................................................................................93 Privacy, security, and consumer protection .....................................................................................................................................................94 Engaging more stakeholders ...................................................................................................................................................................................95 Linking digital innovation to job creation ...........................................................................................................................................................96 Priorities for action ....................................................................................................................................................................98 Formulating