Feminist Digital Development: The Missing Jigsaw Piece in the European Union's Strategic Partnership with Africa

Africa and the European Union (EU) are embracing a new era of development cooperation that is digital. With the EU building a digital partnership with Africa, there is an unmissable opportunity to lead the digital transition with a feminist vision. The EU has already taken ambitious steps with the Gender Action Plan (GAP) III; the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe (NDICI-GE); and the Joint Africa-EU strategy. However, questions remain about the ability of the EU to effectively deliver on the promise of a values-based digital partnership, as well as the willingness of African partners to overcome the trust deficit from the past and to work with the EU towards a common vision for digital transformation. Embracing a Feminist Digital Development (FDD) would offer a stronger mandate and commitment to women and girls’ empowerment, and thus to gender equality, to ensure a fair and inclusive digital transformation.