India-Africa digital partnership is achieving mutual respect, co-development and long-term institutional partnerships. Elaborate.

GS 2
International Relations
2025
10 Marks

India-Africa digital partnership gained momentum with the 2024 India-Africa ICT Expo, demonstrating technological cooperation that prioritizes African sovereignty while fostering shared digital growth.

Achieving Mutual Respect through Digital Cooperation

  • Demand-driven approach: India avoids imposing solutions, instead responding to specific African needs like Morocco's request for MOSIP digital identity system.
  • Sovereignty preservation: African nations retain control over their digital infrastructure while benefiting from Indian expertise.
  • Cultural sensitivity: Projects like Ghana's e-governance platform incorporate local languages and administrative practices.
  • Equal partnership: Both regions contribute expertise - Africa provides market insights while India shares technological solutions.
  • Capacity building focus: Training programs ensure Africans lead their own digital transformation initiatives.

Co-Development Models in Action

  • Joint innovation: Pan-African e-Network Project connects 53 African countries through shared tele-medicine and tele-education platforms.
  • Technology adaptation: UPI model customized for Namibian payment systems considering local banking infrastructure.
  • Collaborative funding: India's $12 billion concessional credit combined with African government investments for sustainable project financing.
  • Knowledge exchange: IIT Madras Zanzibar campus facilitates two-way learning between Indian and African students.
  • Research partnerships: Joint R&D initiatives in AI and blockchain through institutions like Indian Statistical Institute.

Long-term Institutional Partnerships

InitiativeCountries InvolvedTimelineImpact
IT Centers6 African nations2019-ongoing15,000+ trained professionals
MOSIP ImplementationMorocco, Togo, Guinea2021-202550 million+ digital identities
Smart City ProjectsNigeria, Kenya, Rwanda2020-2030Urban digitization
  • Sustained engagement: Smart Zambia Initiative (2023) extends beyond technology transfer to governance transformation
  • Educational foundations: 3,000+ annual scholarships for African students in Indian technical institutions
  • Institutional frameworks: Regular India-Africa Summit mechanisms ensure continuous partnership evolution

This partnership exemplifies "Atmanirbhar Bharat" principles globally, with initiatives like MOSIP in West Africa and digital agriculture platforms in East Africa creating sustainable technological ecosystems.

Answer Length

Model answers may exceed the word limit for better clarity and depth. Use them as a guide, but always frame your final answer within the exam’s prescribed limit.

In just 60 sec

Evaluate your handwritten answer

  • Get detailed feedback
  • Model Answer after evaluation
Evaluate Now

Crack UPSC with your
Personal AI Mentor

An AI-powered ecosystem to learn, practice, and evaluate with discipline

Start Now
SuperKalam is your personal mentor for UPSC preparation, guiding you at every step of the exam journey.
Follow us

ⓒ Snapstack Technologies Private Limited