JOHANNESBURG– AFRICAN governments, youths and the private sector have been urged to complement efforts to bring the continent at par with other regions in the digital economy.

Senior Vice President of Africa Sales Gemalto, Sherry Zameer, international digital security company providing software applications, proposed the multi-sectoral approach in Johannesburg.

“Africa should catch up with other parts of the world, particularly the West, in the transition to the digital economy,” said Zameer.

However, the executive was wary of the implications to security.

“As banks, mobile operators, government bodies and eService providers come together to build these ecosystems, delivering digital services through mobile as a main channel, the big question becomes how do you ensure secure access to those digital mobile services and prevent your personal data and digital identity from getting into the wrong hands?’” said Zameer.

“How can you safeguard your digital credentials, your privacy and data? And can your mobile phone actually secure itself in certain situations?” asked the official.

He revealed some 2,7 billion people were frustrated by their digital journey worldwide .

“However that figure cannot be quantified in Africa because of broadband penetration and infrastructural challenges in many areas,’ said Zameer.

He urged governments and private sector to engage consumers as research revealed 62 percent of people abandon their transactions because of frustration in their digital journey while lack trust has also been
attributed for some people still not embracing data for transactions.

Zameer, was speaking in South Africa where he joined other experts to discover how modern, digital lifestyles can come together in a secure way.

“Mobile phones no longer merely a device but rather an active extension of  yourself. Now at the very heart of our modern lives, mobile phones have become a critical link between connected devices, creating portal hubs that enable a new digital way of living,” said Zameer.