A strategy roadmap for digital transformation of Guinea (2040) and a vision for digital economy in the governments of west Africa

His Excellency President Alpha Condé of Guinea expressed his gratitude to the United Arab Emirates and the Arab Economic Unity Council League of Arab States for their major role in supporting the initiatives of development in the African Continent and its digital transformation to access the global digital field.

This was stated during the meeting of H.E. Ibrahima Kassory Fofana, the prime minister of Guinea, and number of ministers and official from the Guinean government, with a delegation from the Arab Economic Unity Council League of Arab States, the delegation was headed by H.E. Dr. Ali Mohamed Al-Khouri , Advisor, Arab Economic Unity Council League of Arab States Chairman of Arab Federation for Digital Economy, and special advisor to the government of Guinea. The meeting was held in the presidential palace in the capital of Conakry.

During the meeting, they reviewed the strategic roadmap (Guinea Vision 2040) that was prepared by a team led by H.E. Advisor, Arab Economic Unity Council, the team has a group of international experts. The roadmap is to provide strategic solutions that supports the approach of the Republic of Guinea towards digital transformation, from the perspectives of infrastructure and government services as well as different business sectors that represent strategic importance for the Republic of Guinea. The strategic roadmap also aspires to achieve the objectives of social and economic development, those objectives are of strategic dimension and also covers the main directions of the republic for the coming twenty years.

The strategic map focused on reviewing the National Economic and Social Development Plan (PNDES), 2016-2020, the latter also focused on reviewing the Country Strategy Paper of the African Development Bank Group for Guinea for 2018-2022, the World Development Report (World Bank), the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact, and the Common Vision for Arab Digital Economy. Those reports reviewed represent clear inputs to define the requirements of Guinea for development and particularly the digital transformation and moving to the era of fourth industrial revolution with all its ambitions.

This strategic roadmap harmonizes with the Guinean reality and its strategic vision, it is expected, through the execution of phase one of the roadmap, in parallel to Guinea’s economic and social development plans, all would fit coherently and become mutually reinforcing, to contribute in multiplying the growth of GDP year-over-year.  The strategic roadmap was built to cover a group of four important criteria, that are consistent with the capabilities and aspirations of Guinea, as follows:

1. Creating a government working environment, and juridical one for sustainable economic development
2. Emphasizing sustainable and comprehensive economic transformation
3. Sustainable human development
4. Sustainable development of natural resources

The strategic roadmap also included six main goals, that constitute Guinea’s future aspirations, which are:

1. Establishing a conscious community of expertise in the field of information technology.
2. Creating a sustainable environment that would promote job opportunities and entrepreneurship.
3. Best utilization of technological and digital capabilities to promote the sectors of mining and agriculture.
4. Best utilization of technological and digital capabilities for urbanization and budgeting, considering the requirements of preserving natural environment that Guinea is distinguished for.
5. Encouraging collaboration of individuals with the government through its portal and social media platforms.
6. Developing work systems for an open and transparent government.

From his side, H.E. the president of Guinea commended this step taken, and the effort exerted by the team. And he emphasized that these efforts are much appreciated. He also directed the government to adopt this plan and implement its 27 projects and initiatives.

H.E. Advisor, Arab Economic Unity Council League of Arab States reviewed during the meeting, the updates of the project of developing the plan of digital transformation for the countries of Economic Community of West African States, also known as ECOWAS, where Guinea currently adopts this initiative as it is in favor of the countries and peoples of west Africa. This plan focuses on leveraging intra-regional trade among ECOWAS countries, it also encourages joint investments and integration of countries’ economies, depending on technological capabilities that will be expanded to fit to the requirements of the coming stage.

The ECOWAS plan aims at enhancing governments’ efficiency and effectiveness, and to raise the standard of living and to increase GDP per capita, the plan also aims at providing new job opportunities under sustainable economic development. This plan also focuses on developing the outcomes and capabilities of the sectors of agriculture, mining, and energy.

From his side, H.E. Ambassador, Mohamed Al Rabie, Secretary General, Arab Economic Unity Council, emphasized that this cooperation brings big opportunities for enabling African countries towards digital transformation, this would help African economies to become world class and competitive against major economic blocs worldwide. H.E. also added: “We proudly appreciate the initiative of H.E. Dr. Ali Mohamed Al-Khouri, Advisor, Arab Economic Unity Council League of Arab States, to spread the culture and applications of digital economy through the strategic map for the republic of Guinea, we also appreciate the preparation to launch a strategic vision for ECOWAS, that would help to adopt a common vision for digital economy that would enhance the relation among its states and support economic development for the countries of west Africa.

H.E. Dr. Ali Mohamed Al-Khouri stated within the meeting: “We, at the Arab Economic Unity Council, and with inspiration of the directives of the wise leadership of the United Arab Emirates, always strive to transfer our pioneering experiments to the countries of the region and sister countries and particularly the brothers in Africa. Also, our efforts are at emphasizing the importance of integration between the Arab world and peoples of Africa, this integration is imposed by history as well as by new geography of the digital world we currently live in, it is the way to develop bright and sustainable economy for all the peoples of the two continents, god wills.”

H.E. Dr. Ali Mohamed Al-Khouri was appointed on June 2019 as an advisor for the government of Guinea to utilize his expertise in digital transformation and development of digital economy foundation. This was then followed by signing an agreement between the Guinean government and the Arab Economic Unity Council, League of Arab States, the agreement stipulates the execution of projects that match the Arab strategic vision for Digital Economy. The common vision for Arab digital economy was launched on December 2018 in Abu Dhabi.