While many African countries express growing interest in e-government initiatives, securing domestic funding for these projects presents significant challenges. Diversifying funding sources at the continental level could offer a viable solution.

The West African Development Bank (BOAD) and the German development bank KfW recently launched the Digital Transformation Fund (DTF), designed to serve the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) region.

The launch, in Lome, follows years of development, with the project initiated in 2020. Envisioned as both a financial and strategic tool, the DTF aims to support digitalization projects across the eight WAEMU member states. 

The fund is dedicated to transforming public administrations through the modernization of technological infrastructure, the development of information systems, and the implementation of innovative digital solutions. Its flexible and scalable resources will be tailored to the specific priorities of each participating country.

"The DTF embodies our collective ambition to build modern administrations capable of effectively meeting the needs of our populations in an ever-changing world," said BOAD Vice President, Moustapha Ben Barka, when presenting the initiative at the launch event.

In Togo, the fund arrives as the country strives to enhance its digitalization efforts and modernize public services. In recent years, the Ministry of Digital Transformation, supported by the operational efforts of the Togo Digital Agency, has implemented significant reforms, including the digitization of numerous administrative services. The country aims to digitalize 75% of public services by 2025.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi