Making Digitalisation Work for Peaceful Development. Opportunities for regional cooperation in and with Africa

The African Union (AU) sees the digital transformation of the continent as the driving force for the inclusive and sustainable growth in the spirit of Agenda 2063 and Agenda 2030. So far, the main focus is on the development of a regional infrastructure as a prerequisite for economic growth, e-commerce, e-learning, e-government etc.. The peace and security policy implications of digitalisation have so far been less at the centre of debates. This is the starting point for the Potsdam Spring Dialogues 2021, which will focus on the conditions that the AU needs to create and enforce in order to strengthen the peace-building effect of digitalisation on the continent and mitigate negative impacts. At the same time, the event serves as an opportunity for an exchange of experience between Africa and Europe. Finally, we would like to reflect on how the different regional forums and international partners, especially the AU and the European Union, can support each other in the practical realisation of digitalisation for peaceful development.