Editorial 1: Time for a new India-Africa digital compact
Context
A new India–Africa digital compact, based on mutual respect, co-development, and long-term partnerships, can become a scalable model to boost digital inclusion across the continent.
Introduction
Africa Day (May 25) celebrates the founding of the Organisation of African Unity in 1963. It stands for the continent’s continued efforts towards unity, independence, and development. To move forward into a new phase of growth, the African Union’s Digital Transformation Strategy (2020–2030) puts digital innovation at the centre of its plans. It highlights the importance of governments using digital tools to speed up social and economic development.
- The changing global landscape is influencing India’s development diplomacy in Africa.
- For many years, India combined government-led funding with socially driven solutions, such as:
- Technical training and capacity-building programs
- Infrastructure projects supported by concessional loans
- Now, social enterprises that offer low-cost, high-impact innovations are also becoming key players in India’s Africa engagement.
- This marks a shift towards more inclusive and flexible partnerships.
A digital partnership
India’s New Digital Development Approach in Africa
Shift in Development Strategy
- India is entering a new phase of development cooperation with Africa.
- The focus is now on integrated, technology-driven partnerships.
- Builds on early efforts like the Pan-African e-Network (2009) offering:
- Tele-medicine and tele-education
- Via satellite and fibre-optic systems
- Executed by Telecommunications Consultants India Ltd (TCIL)
Building on India’s DPI Success
| Indian DPI Systems | Purpose |
| Aadhaar | Digital identity |
| UPI | Unified Payments Interface |
| CoWIN | Vaccine management & tracking |
| DIKSHA | Digital learning platform |
- India aims to share and co-develop digital solutions to:
- Solve governance challenges
- Improve service delivery
- Aligned with African efforts like:
- Smart Africa Alliance
- Policy and Regulatory Initiative for Digital Africa
India–Africa Digital Collaborations: Key Cases
| Year | Country | Partnership Highlights |
| 2021 | Togo | MoU with IIIT-Bangalore to develop Modular Open-Source ID platform |
| 2023 | Zambia | MoU with Centre for DPI at IIIT-B to support Smart Zambia Initiative |
| 2024 | Namibia | Pact with NPCI to create a UPI-like instant payment system |
| 2024 | Ghana | Integration of India’s UPI system to enable faster digital payments |
- These show a growing interest in India’s DPI model known for:
- Affordability
- Scalability
- Open-source design
The Competitive Digital Landscape in Africa
- African countries select digital partners based on their ability to:
- Meet local digital needs
- Offer cost-effective solutions
| Major Players in Africa’s Digital Space | Key Strengths |
| China | Infrastructure funding, low-cost adoption via state-backed finance |
| European Union & USA | Tech transfer, investment, and governance focus |
| India | DPI as digital public good, open-source, adaptable to local contexts |
Strategic Moves: IIT Madras – Zanzibar Campus
- First overseas campus of IIT Madras established in Zanzibar.
- Offers programs in:
- Data Science
- Artificial Intelligence
- Funded with help from Indian private sector (scholarships, infrastructure).
- Aims to:
- Build technical capacity
- Support Africa’s digital infrastructure
- Align tech with socio-economic development
Challenges to Africa’s Digital Transformation
- Africa faces the world’s largest digital divide, driven by:
- High cost of data and digital devices
- Rural–urban gap in internet connectivity
- Persistent gender gap in digital access and literacy
- Digital infrastructure growth is limited by:
- Unreliable energy supply in many countries
- Need for sustainable power and grid expansion
| Key Digital Barriers | Details |
| Cost of Access | Expensive internet and smartphones |
| Connectivity Gaps | Poor rural networks, strong urban bias |
| Gender Disparity | Women have lower digital access and literacy |
| Power Constraints | Weak electricity grids hinder tech infrastructure |
Progress in Digital Governance
- Despite challenges, digital foundations are improving:
- 85% of African countries have digital-capable national ID systems
- 70%+ collect biometric data for identification and services
- This forms a base for interoperable and inclusive digital platforms
| Digital Progress Indicators | Status |
| National digital ID systems | Present in 85% of countries |
| Biometric authentication | Used in over 70% |
The Way Forward: India–Africa Digital Compact
- A new India–Africa digital partnership could be based on:
- Mutual respect
- Co-development
- Long-term institutional collaboration
- Focus: building scalable, inclusive, and locally adapted digital systems
- Opportunity: Combine India’s DPI expertise with Africa’s growing digital base to close the divide and support sustainable development.
Conclusion
Africa’s digital journey, rooted in unity and self-reliance, is gaining momentum through strategic partnerships. India’s technology-driven, public-good approach offers Africa scalable, inclusive solutions to tackle governance and service gaps. Despite persistent digital divides and energy challenges, the foundation is strong. A forward-looking India–Africa digital compact can power a more equitable, connected, and resilient future for the continent.
Editorial 2: ‘Headline’ schemes, but T.N.’s women deserve better
Context
Many women-focused schemes have been started, but women in the State experience more appearance than real benefits.
Introduction
In Tamil Nadu, women have consistently been leaders — in their homes, the workforce, and increasingly in public life. However, despite their strength, many still lack sufficient support from systems that often prioritize appearance over genuine assistance. In recent years, numerous women-centered schemes have been launched. On paper, these announcements have attracted significant attention. But in homes and communities throughout the State, the reality has fallen short of the promises. Delays, exclusions, and bureaucratic hurdles have reduced the effectiveness of what could have been transformative changes.
Schemes and hurdles
Monthly Income Support Scheme for Women Heads of Households
| Aspect | Details |
| Applications received | Nearly 2.06 crore women applied |
| Applications approved (as of March 2024) | Only 1.06 crore approved |
| Women excluded | Nearly 1 crore, mostly from vulnerable and rural backgrounds |
| Reasons for exclusion | Rigid documentation rules and administrative hurdles |
- In districts like Tiruvannamalai and Villupuram:
- Women waited in long queues only to be rejected due to ration card or land record discrepancies.
- Appeals filed:
- Over 9.24 lakh women have formally appealed their rejection, highlighting widespread frustration and unmet expectations (source: report from October 11, 2023).
- Even for approved applications:
- Delays in disbursement reported across multiple regions, weakening the promise of timely and dignified support.
Public Transport Initiatives for Women
| Scheme | Reality on Ground |
| Free bus travel for women | Savings exist on paper but many commuters face issues such as: |
| – Overcrowded services | |
| – Reduced bus frequency in tier-2 and tier-3 towns | |
| – Lack of safety measures | |
| – Absence of women conductors, marshals, and last-mile connectivity |
Continuity vs Innovation in Women’s Welfare Programs
| Program | Current Status |
| Amma Baby Care Kits | Program continues but lacks expansion or updates |
| Subsidies & Microcredit for Women-led Self-Help Groups | Budget cuts in recent years have reduced support, shrinking the entrepreneurship ecosystem |
The Gap Between Policy Design and Delivery
- Many schemes are announced with fanfare, but real impact depends on effective implementation and follow-through.
- The difference between symbolic politics and sincere governance is critical — launches do not change lives; delivery does.
Successful and Enduring Models of Empowerment in Tamil Nadu
| Scheme/Initiative | Impact and Details |
| Cradle Baby Scheme | – Started in the early 1990s to combat female infanticide |
| – In districts like Salem, Dharmapuri, Madurai | |
| – Female infanticide dropped by over 75% between 1992-2011 (Data from Tamil Nadu Department of Social Welfare) | |
| All-Women Police Stations | – Created for safety and sensitive justice |
| – By 2021, over 222 stations operational across the State | |
| – Demonstrates institutional innovation driven by empathy and purpose | |
| 50% Reservation for Women in Local Bodies | – Enabled thousands of women to become panchayat presidents, councillors, and community leaders |
| – Women now influence decisions, budgets, and futures | |
| “Thalikku Thangam” Initiative | – Financial assistance and gold to women from low-income families at marriage |
| – ₹25,000 + 8 grams of gold for high school graduates, ₹50,000 for graduates | |
| Amma Free Bicycle Scheme | – Provided rural schoolgirls with bicycles to improve access to education |
| – Helped reduce school dropout rates by enabling safer and quicker travel |
Everyday Interventions Supporting Working Women
- Amma Canteens: Affordable and nutritious food to ease daily burdens.
- Supply of essential household appliances: Enablers of comfort, safety, and independence for families.
Success lies in evidence on the ground
- Success is not about the number of schemes announced but about how many lives are improved.
- Empowerment is not found in headlines but in:
- Healthier babies
- Safer streets
- Confident women leaders
- Girls growing with ambition, not fear
The Way Forward for Tamil Nadu
- The focus must move beyond slogans and statistics.
- Women want:
- Systems that work
- Services that reach everyone
- Respect that lasts
- They deserve nothing less.
Conclusion
Tamil Nadu’s numerous women-centric schemes highlight good intent but fall short in execution due to delays, exclusions, and administrative barriers. True empowerment requires effective systems, consistent delivery, and genuine respect. Success is measured not by announcements but by real, lasting improvements in women’s lives—health, safety, leadership, and opportunity—ensuring dignity beyond mere symbolism.
