Continental Digital Government Backbone

A shared digital backbone enabling secure data exchange between authorised government systems, so public services can be delivered through consistent, verifiable channels. The program is at NBP-2 on the NBP readiness ladder and is recorded at concept confidence. Scope, cost and structure remain subject to the studies listed below.

Public services are delivered through systems that were procured separately and do not exchange data reliably. Citizens and businesses re-submit the same information to different authorities, and administrators cannot obtain a consolidated view of demand.

Reduce the administrative cost of public service delivery and improve service reliability by connecting systems that currently operate in isolation.

Establish an interoperability layer, a digital identity capability and a government cloud environment, with clearly defined responsibilities for each participating institution. NBP would provide the coordination framework; each authority retains control of its own systems and data.

• Interoperability and secure data-exchange layer
• Digital identity capability
• Government cloud environment
• Service access portal
• Digital records and archiving
• Cybersecurity operations capability

Location: Multi-country, Africa

Citizens and businesses interacting with public services; ministries, agencies, regions and municipalities operating the underlying systems.

• Technical scope to be established through pre-feasibility study
• Design standards to follow applicable national and international codes
• Environmental and social screening prior to design finalisation

• Broadband connectivity
• Data centre capacity
• Cybersecurity capability
• Legal framework for data exchange
• Institutional coordination

Comparable programs across Africa and Europe show that interoperability layers reduce duplicated data collection and shorten service delivery times, provided institutional responsibilities are settled before technical procurement.

Delivery and ownership structure to be determined at commercial structuring (NBP-6). Options include public delivery, partnership structures and concession models, assessed against value for money and risk allocation.

To be determined. Suitable capital categories will be assessed at NBP-6 and NBP-7 against the project’s risk profile and revenue characteristics.

Revenue and sustainability model under development. Where user charges are not viable, availability-based or budget-funded models will be assessed.

Classification: To be assigned following environmental and social screening.

Environmental assessment will be completed to the standard required by national regulation and applicable lender policy before any commitment is sought.

Social assessment will address land, livelihoods, resettlement risk, community consultation and equitable access to the resulting service.

1. 1Concept developmentCurrentScope, beneficiaries and components defined at concept level.
2. 2Pre-feasibilityNextTechnical and commercial viability tested at order-of-magnitude level.
3. 3FeasibilitySubsequentFull technical, financial, environmental and social case established.
4. 4Structuring & financingSubsequentDelivery model settled and capital matched to the opportunity.