Mauritania’s Minister of Digital Transformation and Administration Modernisation, Ahmed Salem Ould Baddah, has emphasized the need for African nations to have “a voice in establishing the rules that will shape the digital world.”
Speaking at the inaugural “Ministerial Conference on the Afro-Russian Partnership” held in Sochi, Russia, the minister stressed the importance of digital sovereignty and equitable participation for all countries, regardless of size.
Ould Baddah highlighted Africa’s demographic significance, pointing out that “African youth will constitute 70% of the world’s youth by 2050.”
He argued that this young population must be equipped to lead cybersecurity initiatives, not only to protect the African continent but also to contribute to global digital security.
The conference saw participation from Ould Baddah alongside Mauritania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Mauritanians Abroad, Mohamed Salem Ould Marzouk.
During the event, Ould Marzouk signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance cultural cooperation between Mauritania and Russia.
The ministerial gathering in Sochi, which brought together leaders from across Africa and Russia, aimed to foster collaboration and address pressing issues such as digital transformation, security, and cultural exchange.
Mauritania’s call for Africa’s active engagement in the digital sphere reflects the continent’s ambitions to secure a meaningful role in shaping the rules governing the rapidly evolving global digital economy.
