Africa’s Digital Transformation : Why Technology Alone Won’t Deliver Results.
Africa’s digital evolution has entered a new phase with tremendous growth. To date, investment, rapid adoption of mobile, as well as increasing reliance on cloud computing and data-based solutions, are all contributing factors in its growth.
By 2025, Africa’s digital investments reached an estimated $22.6B, with expected annual growth of 15% through 2033. This is indicative that many countries are attempting to compete internationally, develop their capability to manage their own digital economies, and create long-term, sustainable value for their citizens.
However, an organization’s ability to resolve issues with its digital solution cannot be solely based on the level of success it achieves with its digital strategy.
Does the success of Africa’s Digital Transformation require widespread adoption of DevOps throughout all organisations ?
In this article I will be examining four main components of the topic:
• Current level of digital transformation in Africa – and why DevOps is becoming a vital tool to achieve this transformation
• The role of cloud computing and global consulting companies in helping with this transformation
• Barriers to DevOps across the continent
1. Digital Transformation in Africa: Massive Potential, Incomplete Execution
The World Bank reported that between 2016 and 2021, internet use in Sub Saharan Africa increased by 115% and the level rose from approximately 19% to 36% in five years. The digital transformation market in Africa is expected to grow to $22.67 billion by 2025 due to mobile technologies, AI, the Internet of Things (IoT), and the growth of digital services.
Deloitte, in partnership with the World Economic Forum (WEF), estimates that the digital economy can add up to $180 billion to GDP growth in Africa over the next several years through supporting start-up ecosystems and significant infrastructure investment such as Google’s Africa submarine cable.
However, with only 38% to 39% of Africans connected to the internet, Africa’s global connectivity is the lowest, and therefore, there is no large-scale impact of digital transformation available to it.
Digital Transformation Recommendations
• Develop national and sectoral digital strategies that include measurable social and economic outcomes.
• Focus on high-value use cases (digital payments, e-health, e-government, supply chains) rather than connectivity alone.
• Incorporate DevOps as a foundational element early on, along with cloud and data, and cybersecurity.
2. Cloud, Consulting Firms, and the Structuring Role of DevOps
The basic structure of the economy today is that cloud computing has become the backbone of digital transformation throughout Africa, but it can also be viewed as a natural accelerator to DevOps adoption. Furthermore, through the development of major technology companies referred to as « hyperscalers« , market research indicates that cloud services in Africa are growing at more than 20% each year and are being driven primarily by the expansion of hyperscalers into Africa and the building of data centers across Africa and the Middle East.
According to PwC, the demand for cloud migration, data analytics, and modernizing applications has increased in Africa and continues to increase at a rapid pace. Many organizations are currently preparing for the anticipated massive use of artificial intelligence (AI). Typically, these modern cloud environments enable organizations to support agile development and have continuous delivery, which is typically supported by strong DevOps cultures resulting in reduced time to market.
Deloitte is actively involved in many digital transformation projects covering various sectors including finance, customs, trade through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and is concentrating its focus on building automated systems, integrated platforms, and operational resiliency.
In this context, DevOps becomes the element or « missing link » that connects cloud investments and organizations’ ability to deliver high-quality digital services by having the following characteristics:
– Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) Pipeline Automation
– Infrastructure as Code
– Real-Time Application Monitoring
– Cross-Functional Collaboration
Developing a Cloud & DevOps Roadmap in partnership with your strategic partners Standardise platforms to reduce complexity and improve scalability Focus on business KPIs such as time to market, customer satisfaction and operational cost.
3. Key Barriers to DevOps Adoption in Africa
While there is plenty of interest, the state of DevOps maturity throughout the continent continues to be lower than expected.
For example, in South Africa, a recent study from CA Southern Africa found that 94% of IT decision-makers see DevOps as an important priority; however, only 44% have a formal DevOps plan in place.
There are four major barriers to DevOps maturity that appear repeatedly across research:
• High cost of technology: The International Finance Corporation has estimated that African businesses may pay as much as 35% more on average for similar technology solutions than businesses in other regions.
• Lack of skills: Research from Deloitte and the World Bank have shown a large disparity between the adoption of technologies and the availability of qualified personnel.
• Isolation of organizations: Many organizations still operate with clearly defined lines separating their development, operations, and business functions.
• Lack of clearly defined governance: According to a report by PwC, 23% of senior leaders indicate that they perceive a lack of a well-defined IT strategy as a significant barrier to developing capability in DevOps.
Recommendations
- Launch targeted DevOps pilot projects on high-impact products
- Build cross-functional squads combining Dev, Ops, Security, and Business
- Optimize tooling costs through shared platforms and open-source solutions
- Establish clear cloud & DevOps governance frameworks
4. Toward an African DevOps Model : Skills, Culture, and Business Impact
Africa is seeing an increase in cloud adoption according to Deloitte, where 36% of all projects are deemed mature however digital skills are still limiting the growth potential of the sector. Digital skills are underdeveloped as illustrated by around 95% of Africa’s capability being undeveloped to some extent.
The International Finance Corporation estimates that by closing the digital infrastructure and adoption gaps, billions in productivity can be created through improved efficiency across African economies.
An « African DevOps model » should consist of three pillars:
• Building local talent through engineering schools, bootcamps and corporate training programs around cloud computing, automation and cyber security
• Developing Product Culture by creating product-led companies that are accountable to the long-term value of their products as opposed to project based organisations
• Creating measurable business impacts by linking DevOps adoption to revenue growth, customer satisfaction, incident reduction and cost efficiencies.
This can be demonstrated through various initiatives led by Deloitte including ERP Modernisation, Analytics and SAP Cloud; PwC have shown a successful approach to Cloud & Data Migration; and SAP’s work in West Africa demonstrates how structured support can enhance system resilience and create new business models.
Recommendations
• Establish internal DevOps Academies with defined certification pathways
• Implement tracking systems for DevOps metrics (frequency of deployments, lead times, failure rates and recovery)
• Support local technology communities and open-source ecosystems
Conclusion:
Africa already possesses the essential elements to achieve a large-scale digital transformation:
• A vibrant, young population
• Increased adoption of the Cloud.
• Strong investment from both local and global players.
But, without a considerable willingness to adopt DevOps culture, methodology and governance, organizations will continue to execute independent digital projects, as opposed to creating scalable, durable digital platforms.
Nexfing enables organizations in Africa to accelerate their digital transformation by leveraging : significant technology expertise (Cloud, DevOps, Data, AI), strong understanding of local market realities and a measurable results-driven approach.
Ready to start your real digital transformation ?
Sources :
IFC International finance corporation : https://www.ifc.org/en/pressroom/2024/ifc-report-shows-digitalization-holds-immense-promise-economic-potential-for-african-businesses-of-all-sizes
Market report analytics : https://www.marketreportanalytics.com/reports/africa-digital-transformation-market-87629
World bank group: https://www.worldbank.org/en/results/2024/01/18/digital-transformation-drives-development-in-afe-afw-africa
Tech trends : https://techtrendske.co.ke/2022/01/22/tech-startups-key-to-africas-digital-transformation-but-urgently-need-investment-report/
PwC: https://www.pwc.fr/fr/vos-enjeux/transformation-cloud.html
Deloitte: https://www.deloitte.com/in/en/Industries/infrastructure/perspectives/growing-intra-africa-trade-through-digital-transformation-of-customs-and-borders.html
CFO : https://cfo.co.za/articles/jen-mcdonald-making-the-digital-transformation-case-at-deloitte-africa/
News SAP : https://news.sap.com/africa/2023/01/sap-pwc-partnership-driving-digital-transformation-and-cloud-success-in-west-africa/
2025 Deloitte Africa Report : https://www.deloitte.com/za/en/about/deloitte-africa-report.html
Capgemini : https://www.capgemini.com/insights/expert-perspectives/five-transformative-trends-in-the-digital-workplace-for-2024/