South Africa’s G20 presidency presents a rare opportunity to put Africa’s digital future on the global agenda. But is it just symbolic — or can it lead to real change?
In this episode of The Angle, we sit down with Dr. Mzukisi Qobo, former head of Wits School of Governance and current Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organisation, to unpack the real stakes of this global moment.
From the AI for Africa Initiative to the challenges of data sovereignty, high data costs, and low digital literacy, Dr. Qobo outlines what South Africa must prioritise—and where African innovators, entrepreneurs, and civic tech builders can seize the moment.
We discuss:
-Why global supply chains, AI, and digital trade need African voices
-How to reduce device and data costs for real inclusion
-What’s holding back data centers and fintech on the continent
-The role of diaspora, public-private partnerships, and government-backed venture capital
This is a conversation about digital ambition, geopolitical realism, and what kind of infrastructure (human and technical) we need to build now if we want to lead—not just participate—in the digital economy.
*This is part of a limited podcast series titled “The Digital Future of South Africa – Navigating Power, Policy, and Progress” in association with the Wits School of Governance, Tayarisha, and the Civic Tech Innovation Network.
00:00 – Intro: South Africa's G20 presidency—why it matters
02:00 – Explaining the G20 to a new generation
04:00 – Africa’s digital lag and what SA wants to spotlight
06:30 – AI, data centers, and missed opportunities
10:00 – What “data sovereignty” really means for Africa
14:00 – The gap between digital optimism and infrastructure reality
18:00 – Can we do more than talk? What the presidency can unlock
22:00 – Lessons from India’s digital villages & public WiFi
26:00 – Advice to digital entrepreneurs: stop chasing Silicon Valley
30:00 – What’s holding SA’s startups back?
34:00 – Diaspora capital and de-risking innovation
37:00 – Education, coding, design, and the future of digital literacy
42:00 – Fintech, inclusion, and township innovation
44:30 – Reflections on South Africa’s global standing
#DigitalGovernance #CivicTech #AfricaDigitalFuture #TechAndPolicy #DigitalInclusion #InnovationInAfrica #PlatformPower #SmartCitiesAfrica #DataSovereignty #TheAnglePodcast YouTube · The Angle · YouTube · Substack · LinkedIn · Facebook · Instagram · X · TikTok