UNDP opens applications for a new Africa Digital Transformation Solution Forum

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), through its Resilience Hub for Africa, has opened a call for expressions of interest for the African Digital Transformation Solution Forum.

The forum is a new platform designed to showcase and scale home-grown digital innovations that strengthen resilience, inclusion, and sustainable development across the continent.

It aims to bring together a diverse group of actors shaping Africa’s digital future, including governments, innovators, researchers, development institutions, the private sector, and civil society.

By creating a space for collaboration and knowledge exchange, UNDP hopes to accelerate the adoption of digital solutions that address some of the continent’s most pressing development challenges, from governance and climate shocks to cross-border trade and digital inclusion.

Set to take place in 2026, the Forum is part of a broader effort to build strong digital ecosystems in Africa and align innovation with national and regional development priorities.

A Platform for Scalable, Home-Grown Digital Solutions

According to UNDP’s Resilience Hub for Africa, the new Forum is intended to serve as a catalytic space for identifying promising digital tools and creating pathways for investment, policy alignment, and cross-sector collaboration.

Stakeholders will have an opportunity to showcase tested or emerging solutions, contribute to peer learning sessions, and form partnerships tailored to country or regional needs.

The Forum is grounded in the belief that Africa’s digital transformation will be most impactful when it strengthens community resilience, expands public access to essential services, and promotes inclusive economic growth.

Participants will therefore be encouraged not only to present innovations but also to engage in conversations on governance, sustainability, and long-term scalability.

Who Should Apply

UNDP is inviting expressions of interest from a wide range of stakeholders actively contributing to the continent’s digital development. Eligible groups include:

Digital innovators, Public-sector institutions, research and academic institutions, Civil society organizations, Development partners, funding institutions, Regional bodies, and cross-border initiatives.

This broad participation is intended to ensure that the Forum reflects Africa’s diverse digital landscape and brings together actors who can influence policy, implementation, and long-term sustainability.

Focus Areas

The African Digital Transformation Solution Forum will highlight innovations aligned with priority themes central to Africa’s development agenda. These include:

• Government digital services and e-governance, including tools that improve public service delivery
• Data and analytics for development, especially solutions that strengthen decision-making
• Digital public infrastructure (DPI), such as digital identity systems, payment rails and interoperable platforms
• Digital skills and inclusion initiatives aimed at reducing access gaps
• Climate-smart and resilience-building digital tools, from early warning systems to climate data platforms
• Private-sector innovations with clear development impact
• Cross-border digital trade and regional integration, supporting Africa’s emerging digital single market

How to Apply

Organizations, institutions, and partners interested in participating are invited to FIND OUT MORE AND  submit their expression of interest through UNDP

The submission window remains open until 2 January 2026.

Successful applicants will be notified of next steps, including opportunities to showcase their solutions and contribute to the Forum’s collaborative sessions.

UNDP notes that the Forum is designed not only as a platform for visibility but as a long-term mechanism for strengthening Africa’s digital resilience.

By bringing together leading voices and emerging innovators, the initiative aims to accelerate progress toward an inclusive digital future for the continent.

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