By Africa’s digital transformation journey is being threatened by a significant gap in digital trust, which could undermine the continent’s progress and global competitiveness.
There is therefore the urgent need to address Africa’s digital trust deficit because digital trust is no longer optional.
According to the Founder of PALS Hub, a digital trust and assurance company, Mrs Amaka Ibeji, digital trust was no longer optional, but a strategic advantage that would build confidence among customers, investors, and global partners.
Speaking to News Agency of Nigeria in an interview, she said, “Africa has the talent and creativity to lead in the digital age. What we need now is a collective commitment to building trust and empowering every African to participate in this transformation responsibly.”
Ibeji emphasised that African organisations must prioritise digital trust, focusing on corporate leadership, localised solutions, and empowering professionals to drive compliance and innovation, saying corporate leadership must prioritise digital trust, making it a strategic focus rather than an operational afterthought.
“Boards of directors must lead the charge on digital trust. This involves ongoing education, aligning trust initiatives with business goals, and integrating diverse expertise, including technology specialists, into governance structures,” Ibeji said.
While noting the She importance of localised solutions, she state that while global best practices offer a starting point, African organisations need frameworks tailored to the continent’s unique challenges, such as fragmented regulations and low awareness.
Ibeji further emphasised the need to empower professionals, particularly Data Protection Officers (DPOs), to drive compliance and innovation within their organisations noting .that as more governments adopt data privacy laws, it is essential to ensure that the professionals tasked with implementation were prepared to meet the demands.
According to her, as Africa navigates its digital journey, it was critical for issues to be brought to the forefront, in order to advocate for solutions that would ensure the continent was not left behind in the global digital economy.
“While championing the integration of robust privacy frameworks, ethical AI governance, and cybersecurity measures, it importance to build a foundation of trust that empowers individuals, businesses, and governments alike, “Ibeji noted.
She cited examples of how digital trust could be applied in various sectors, including healthcare, finance, and education explaining that digital trust was essential for building confidence in digital health services, ensuring the security of financial transactions, and protecting student data on online learning platforms.
She added that by prioritising digital trust, African organisations could redefine their role in the global economy and set new standards for responsible innovation. (NAN)
