In a bold move that could reshape digital connectivity across the continent, Smart Africa has teamed up with Nigeria’s Ascend Digital Solutions to test a new platform that allows secure data sharing across borders. The pilot project, known as the Smart Africa Data Exchange or SADX, was launched at the recent Transform Africa Summit 2025 in Guinea and marks a major step in Africa’s drive to build a unified digital ecosystem by 2030.
As nations across Africa continue to embrace digital services, the need for secure, seamless cross-border data flow has never been greater. From e-government services to digital identity verification, the ability to exchange information safely between countries underpins everything from business growth to trusted public service delivery. The SADX initiative is designed to make this vision a reality.
For years, digital systems in Africa have operated in silos, limiting how government agencies, businesses, and citizens interact across borders. According to experts, fragmentation has made it difficult for citizens to use digital services if they travel or relocate, and has slowed efforts to build a truly connected digital economy. The pilot with Ascend Digital is aimed at breaking down these barriers and laying a durable foundation for cross-border interoperability.
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Smart Africa and Ascend Digital Launch are Building a Trusted Digital Framework for the Future
The Smart Africa Data Exchange platform is not just another tech project. It has been crafted using open standards to ensure scalability and interoperability between different national systems. This means that countries can adopt the platform without having to overhaul their existing digital infrastructure. At its core, SADX prioritises data security, trust, and respect for national sovereignty, crucial elements for any cross-border system dealing with sensitive personal and institutional information.
A key focus of SADX is digital identity verification. In many African countries, access to basic services depends on reliable digital identities. But with no common framework for sharing identity data across borders, citizens who travel or relocate have often faced barriers in accessing services. With SADX, participating states can test seamless digital identity checks that could make travel, employment, banking, and government service use easier and more secure.
This pilot is being launched under the Smart Africa Trust Alliance, a group of member states committed to advancing digital trust and cooperation. The first countries taking part are Benin, Ghana, and Rwanda, chosen for their relatively advanced digital infrastructures and enthusiasm for technology-led development. Over the coming months, these governments will explore real-world applications of cross-border data exchange and identify challenges and solutions as they emerge.
How Pilot Countries Will Test Real-Life Use Cases
The pilot will focus on a range of practical use cases that show how cross-border data exchange can improve lives and facilitate business. Identity verification is expected to be one of the first features tested. This has important implications for services such as banking, healthcare, and travel, where confirming a person’s identity quickly and securely can unlock access to critical services..
For example, citizens travelling between participating states may soon be able to use national electronic identification cards to validate their identity without the need for multiple documents. This could simplify border processes and boost confidence in digital verification systems. Meanwhile, regional businesses that depend on digital services could experience reduced friction, as interoperable data exchange supports smoother cross-border transactions and verification processes.
Smart Africa sees this pilot as a building block for a broader Single Digital Market across the continent. This vision has been gaining traction through a series of initiatives that aim to harmonise digital systems and policies so that citizens and businesses can operate across borders with ease. The SADX pilot is a major contribution to this ambition and could serve as a model for wider adoption among the alliance’s 40-plus member states.
Leaders from each pilot country have expressed optimism about what the project could achieve. Officials view the platform as a way to boost regional integration, improve public services, and strengthen digital economies. By working together on a common technical standard, these early adopters hope to pave the way for other African nations to join a truly interoperable digital network.
What This Means for Africa’s Digital Transformation
Africa’s digital transformation journey has accelerated in recent years, with mobile penetration rising and governments prioritising digital public infrastructure. But progress has been uneven, with regulatory barriers and technical gaps slowing down cross-border cooperation. The SADX pilot seeks to address some of these challenges by providing a framework that prioritises trust and security.
At the same time, the global context is shifting towards greater digital integration. With emerging technologies powering new opportunities in finance, health, and education, African policymakers are keen to ensure the continent is not left behind. By adopting open standards and embracing multi-country cooperation, Smart Africa and Ascend are positioning the pilot to support future growth in digital trade and services.
However, the road ahead will not be without obstacles. Countries will need to fine-tune legal frameworks to support data sharing while protecting privacy. Technical teams will have to ensure that systems can handle diverse data formats and security demands. And trust will need to be built with citizens who may be wary of how their data is used and shared. Despite these challenges, the pilot is a strong first step and an important test case for cross-border digital collaboration, according to the World Economic Forum.
For citizens, the success of this pilot could eventually mean easier access to digital services in multiple countries without repetitive registration or verification procedures. For businesses, especially small and medium enterprises, reliable cross-border data exchange can support expansion into new markets and smoother compliance with regional regulations. And for governments, it offers a chance to streamline public service delivery and enhance digital governance, according to the World Bank.
Looking Ahead to a Single Digital Market
Smart Africa has been at the forefront of driving continental digital cooperation since its formation, working with member states and global partners to build infrastructure and frameworks that support economic growth through technology. The SADX pilot is one of several initiatives aimed at realising a Single Digital Market for Africa by 2030.
As the pilot progresses, stakeholders will closely monitor results and gather insights that could inform broader rollouts. Success in Benin, Ghana, and Rwanda could prompt neighbouring countries to adopt similar approaches, gradually expanding the network of interoperable digital services across the continent.
If all goes well, the SADX could be a cornerstone of Africa’s digital future, enhancing trust between states and enabling millions of citizens to benefit from seamless, secure access to services across borders. The project reflects a growing recognition that digital cooperation is not just a technical issue but a strategic priority for economic development, regional integration, and inclusive growth.
With Africa’s digital transformation accelerating, initiatives like the Smart Africa Data Exchange offer a glimpse of what a connected continent could look like. Through collaboration, shared standards, and a commitment to trust and security, the dream of a Single Digital Market may be getting closer than many realise.
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