From Digital Inclusion to Digital Sovereignty: Building Capacity, Infrastructure, and Governance for Sustainable Digital Transformation
AISMA - Alliance for Industry 4.0 and Smart Manufacturing for Africa & DTA - Digital Transformation Alliance
Session 122
From Technology Adoption to Technology Mastery: Enabling Smart Industry, Smart Governance, and Inclusive Growth
This session addresses the transition from digital inclusion to digital sovereignty. This theme is of a central importance to the post-WSIS+20 agenda. The discussions held during the WSIS+20 review process, together with the Resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly, make clear that the global community must now move beyond connectivity targets and confront the deeper structural conditions that determine whether digital technologies truly serve sustainable development.
The session focuses on closing multi-dimensional digital divides (including AI divide) that extend well beyond basic connectivity — encompassing affordability, digital skills and literacy, and the institutional capacity of governments and organizations to harness technology effectively. It addresses the imperative of digital capacity sovereignty, enabling countries and communities to develop local mastery and ownership of the technologies that shape their economies and societies, rather than remaining dependent on external providers.
The session also examines AI governance and capacity building aligned with the Global Digital Compact, recognizing that developing countries need both regulatory frameworks and practical capabilities to deploy AI responsibly. It further explores the scaling of digital public infrastructure and digital public goods as transformative pathways, alongside Industry 4.0 and digital industrialization as drivers of employment and value addition in developing economies.
Two additional cross-cutting themes are integral to the session: data governance and interoperability frameworks that enable cross-border data flows while protecting sovereignty and citizens’ rights, and financing digital transformation in developing countries, without which the ambitions of the WSIS+20 agenda will remain aspirational for the nations that need them most.
Adel BEN YOUSSEF is an Associate Professor of Economics at Université Côte d’Azur and a permanent member of the CNRS research laboratory GREDEG (UMR 7321). He is also an associate researcher at the Economic Research Forum (Cairo) and the Global Labor Organization (Bonn). Internationally recognized for his work on ecological and digital transitions, he has made major contributions to advancing the concept of the twin transition—the synergy between digital innovation and environmental sustainability—as a key framework for public policy, industrial development, and climate strategies. With over two decades of academic and advisory experience, Professor Ben Youssef has published more than 100 peer-reviewed articles in top international journals and contributed to numerous collective works, notably on Industry 4.0, smart cities, green finance, and labor market transformations. His recent works explore how AI, digital skills, and renewable energy are reshaping sustainability trajectories in both developed and emerging economies. He has served as Tunisia’s climate finance negotiator at seven consecutive COP summits (COP23 to COP30), reflecting his long-standing engagement in global climate diplomacy. He also acts as a scientific advisor and expert for international organizations including the UNDP, UNIDO, UNEP, UN-Habitat and UNOPS. He is member of advisory boards of INCIT and MENAPAR. Moreover, he is a founding member of Alliance for Industry 4.0 and Smart Manufacturing in Africa (AISMA). He is Editor-in-Chief of Platforms (MDPI) and Associate Editor of Development and Sustainability in Economics and Finance (Springer) and Green and Low-Carbon Economy. He has led more than 40 large-scale international projects and facilitated over 100 workshops on sustainable development, digital governance, and climate action. He was awarded with the Auguste Piccard Award for being Distinguished Researcher in Digitalization and Sustainability from ICIEET and Swiss X Co Forum in Switzerland. He has been awarded with the prize of Excellency from University Côte d'Azur. Professor Ben Youssef is among the top 2% world scientists according to the ranking by Stanford and Elsevier 2025 and 1% of economists worldwide according to ScholarGPS, and has supervised numerous doctoral theses on digital transformation, energy transitions, and smart tourism strategies across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.
Professor MBANG is an international expert in industrial technologies, digital and organizational transformation, with more than 25 years experience in the automotive industry and academia (University of Karlsruhe in Germany, University of Sofia in Bulgaria).
As specialist in Industry 4.0, Smart Manufacturing, Digital Twin, Artificial Intelligence, and Virtual Reality, he has led major international and European projects, including the ALLIANCE (Affordable Lightweight Automotive Alliance) initiative within the European Automotive Manufacturers Association, where he served as Head of the Virtual Engineering Expert Group.
As founder of the Digital Transformation Alliance (DTA) and promoter of InnoTechLab, Professor MBANG advocates for Africa’s sovereign & competitive industrialization, structural transformation, market access, ecosystem building, by developing regional connected value chains built on the triptych Skills – Technologies – Leadership. He is also promotor of smart factories around the world.
Professor Mbang is founding member of AISMA (Alliance for Industry 4.0 and Smart Manufacturing for Africa), supported by UNIDO, and works closely as expert with leading international organizations such as UNIDO and the ITU (Innovation and Entrepreneurship Alliance for Digital Development) and the STI (Science Technology and Innovation of the African Union).
Adelina Zeqiri holds a PhD in Management from the University Côte d’Azur and another PhD in Economics from the University of Prishtina. Her research explores digital and green transitions, focusing specifically on smart destinations, smart industries, hospitality and tourism 4.0, and smart cities. Her work has been published in notable international academic journals. She has received multiple recognitions for her academic contributions, including the Best Ph.D. Paper Award at the Entrepreneurship for Sustainability Impact (ESI) Conference organized by Qatar University in Doha, Qatar, in November 2024, and the Best Paper Award at the Digital Transformation Society Conference organized by the Paris School of Business in Paris, France, in May 2023. Additionally, she was honored with the Prize of Excellence by the University Côte d’Azur in December 2023.
Prof. Jean Bosco Byiringiro is a University Professor of Mechatronics Engineering and Director of the Siemens Mechatronics Certification Centre at Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, Kenya. Prof. Byiringiro is the Managing Director of the Africa Virtual Mechatronics Services Ltd and Co-Founder Expert of the Alliance for Industry 4.0 and Smart Manufacturing in Africa (AISMA) with United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). Prof. Byiringiro is a visiting Professor at the Marie and Louis Pasteur University (UMLP) and National Polytechnic Institute of Toulouse (INPT), France. Prof. Byiringiro is Chief Expert for Mechatronics at WorldSkills Kenya, playing a leading role in developing and aligning national and international occupational standards and Representative of African Organization for Standardization (ARSO) in Africa Steering Committee of 4th Industry revolution (4IR) and lead the discussion under the 4IR strategies. Prof. Byiringiro is also Registered Professional Engineers by Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK) and Certified Mechatronics Systems Professional by Siemens AG. Germany.
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C1. The role of governments and all stakeholders in the promotion of ICTs for development
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C2. Information and communication infrastructure
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C3. Access to information and knowledge
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C4. Capacity building
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C5. Building confidence and security in use of ICTs
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C6. Enabling environment
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C7. ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life — E-government
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C7. ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life — E-business
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C7. ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life — E-learning
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C7. ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life — E-health
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C7. ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life — E-employment
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C7. ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life — E-environment
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C7. ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life — E-agriculture
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C7. ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life — E-science
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C8. Cultural diversity and identity, linguistic diversity and local content
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C9. Media
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C10. Ethical dimensions of the Information Society
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C11. International and regional cooperation
This session directly contributes to several WSIS Action Lines by demonstrating how advanced ICTs, Industry 4.0 technologies, Artificial Intelligence, digital public infrastructure, and digital skills can accelerate sustainable industrialization and economic transformation in developing countries.
C1 – The Role of Governments and all Stakeholders: The session promotes multi-stakeholder collaboration among governments, industry, academia, development partners, and civil society to develop coherent digital industrialization strategies and innovation ecosystems.
C2 – Information and Communication Infrastructure: It highlights the importance of reliable connectivity, cloud infrastructure, data platforms, industrial IoT, and digital public infrastructure as foundations for smart manufacturing and digital transformation.
C3 – Access to Information and Knowledge: The session emphasizes technology transfer, knowledge sharing, open innovation, and access to digital tools and industrial best practices for developing countries.
C4 – Capacity Building: A major focus will be on developing local capabilities to understand, adapt, operate, and maintain Industry 4.0 technologies, thereby strengthening digital sovereignty and long-term resilience.
C5 – Building Confidence and Security in the Use of ICTs: The discussion will address industrial cybersecurity, data protection, trusted AI, and secure digital ecosystems as essential enablers of digital industrialization.
C6 – Enabling Environment: The session will explore policies, regulations, standards, financing mechanisms, and incentives needed to accelerate adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies, particularly by SMEs.
C7 – ICT Applications (E-Business, E-Government, E-Employment, E-Environment, E-Science): The session will showcase practical applications of ICTs in smart manufacturing, supply chains, logistics, workforce development, sustainable production, industrial research, and innovation.
C8 – Cultural Diversity and Local Content: The session promotes the development of locally adapted solutions, indigenous innovation, and technology ecosystems that respond to national and regional priorities.
C10 – Ethical Dimensions of the Information Society: The session supports a human-centric approach to digital transformation, emphasizing responsible AI, inclusive innovation, sustainability, and equitable access to opportunities.
C11 – International and Regional Cooperation: The session encourages South-South, North-South, and triangular cooperation, leveraging initiatives such as AISMA and other regional platforms to strengthen industrial and digital partnerships.
By linking Industry 4.0, digital skills, AI, digital public infrastructure, and industrial transformation, the session demonstrates how the WSIS Action Lines can be implemented in an integrated manner to support sustainable development, economic diversification, job creation, and technological resilience in developing countries.
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Goal 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
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Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
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Goal 8: Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all
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Goal 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
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Goal 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries
The proposed session, “From Digital Access to Digital Sovereignty: Accelerating Industrial Transformation through Industry 4.0 in Developing Countries”, directly supports the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Global Digital Compact, and the outcomes of the WSIS+20 Review by demonstrating how digital technologies can drive inclusive, sustainable, and resilient economic transformation.
The session is particularly aligned with:
SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) by promoting smart manufacturing, digital infrastructure, innovation ecosystems, technology transfer, and industrial modernization.
SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) through the creation of higher-value jobs, digital skills development, entrepreneurship, productivity improvements, and the growth of competitive digital economies.
SDG 4 (Quality Education) by emphasizing capacity building, lifelong learning, technical skills development, and the creation of local training environments capable of mastering and adapting advanced technologies.
SDG 5 (Gender Equality) by encouraging inclusive participation of women and girls in digital skills, innovation, entrepreneurship, and Industry 4.0 careers.
SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) through efforts to bridge digital divides and ensure that developing countries can participate meaningfully in the global digital economy.
SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) through smart infrastructure, digital public services, intelligent mobility, and data-driven urban management.
SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by enabling resource-efficient manufacturing, circular economy approaches, traceability, and waste reduction through digital technologies.
SDG 13 (Climate Action) by supporting energy efficiency, environmental monitoring, sustainable industrial practices, and climate-resilient supply chains.
SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through multi-stakeholder collaboration involving governments, industry, academia, international organizations, and civil society.
The session will illustrate how Industry 4.0 technologies—including Artificial Intelligence, IoT, Digital Twins, advanced analytics, smart logistics, and digital public infrastructure—can help developing countries move beyond digital access toward digital empowerment, technological capability, economic diversification, and sustainable industrialization.
By focusing on local capacity development, technology mastery, innovation ecosystems, and international cooperation, the session contributes to the broader objective of ensuring that digital transformation becomes a catalyst for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals while leaving no one behind.
- Objective 1: Close all digital divides and accelerate progress across the Sustainable Development Goals
- Objective 2: Expand inclusion in and benefits from the digital economy for all
- Objective 3: Foster an inclusive, open, safe and secure digital space that respects, protects and promotes human rights
- Objective 4: Advance responsible, equitable and interoperable data governance approaches
- Objective 5: Enhance international governance of artificial intelligence for the benefit of humanity
Organising Organisation
Digital Transformation Alliance (DTA)
DTA LinkedIn Page (if active)
Supporting and Related Initiatives
AISMA – Alliance for Industry 4.0 and Smart Manufacturing for Africa
WSIS Process
WSIS Forum
Global Digital Compact
Relevant Publications and Initiatives
Industry 4.0 and Smart Manufacturing initiatives implemented by DTA and partners in Africa, including pilot Smart Factory projects in Morocco and Tunisia.
Capacity-building, digital transformation, and industrialization programmes supporting sustainable development, innovation ecosystems, and digital skills.
Ongoing collaboration with governments, academia, industry, international organizations, and regional platforms to advance digital industrialization and technology mastery in developing countries.
If the form allows a short paragraph instead of links only, I would suggest adding:
The proposed session builds on the experience of the Digital Transformation Alliance (DTA), AISMA, and their partners in implementing digital transformation, Industry 4.0, smart manufacturing, capacity-building, and innovation ecosystem initiatives across Africa and other developing regions. The session aligns with the WSIS+20 Outcome Document, the Global Digital Compact, and the Sustainable Development Goals through a focus on digital inclusion, technology mastery, industrial transformation, and multi-stakeholder cooperation.