Accra, October 21, 2026: In a monumental leap for Africa’s digital integration, the Smart Africa Secretariat and Ascend Digital Solutions Ltd. have successfully completed Phase 1 of the Smart Africa Data Exchange (SADX) pilot.
This revolutionary continental platform enables secure, trusted cross-border data sharing and seamless digital identity verification. Piloted across Benin, Ghana, and Rwanda, SADX successfully connected the three nations’ national identity databases under the Smart Africa Trust Alliance (SATA).
The breakthrough means citizens traveling between Benin, Ghana, and Rwanda can soon verify their identities across borders using just a national ID card—no passport required. This milestone moves Africa significantly closer to realizing a fully integrated Single Digital Market by 2030.
Progress Across the Three Pilot Countries
Moving forward, Benin, Ghana, and Rwanda will test real-world digital services using SADX, creating a blueprint that other African nations can rapidly replicate. Built on open, scalable, and interoperable standards, SADX ensures that data moves safely while strictly preserving national sovereignty and security.
By connecting national systems through a common, trusted layer, the platform supports the mutual recognition of digital identities and the delivery of public and private services across borders, in areas such as banking and healthcare.
This successful phase of the pilot supports Africa’s vision of a Single Digital Market. It also builds on Smart Africa’s work with Member States to define harmonised guidelines for developing, interconnecting and operating data exchange platforms across the continent.
“Africa’s digital future cannot be built on fragmented national systems. Our ambition is to connect our digital economies while preserving the sovereignty of every nation. With Benin, Ghana and Rwanda taking this important first technical step, we are demonstrating that interoperability does not require centralization, and integration does not mean surrendering sovereignty. This is how we move from continental ambition to practical implementation, laying the foundations for a truly integrated African Single Digital Market” stated Lacina Koné, CEO of Smart Africa.
Ascend Digital’s Crucial Role
As a key implementation partner, Ascend Digital Solutions Ltd. leveraged its deep expertise in secure infrastructure to connect systems in Ghana, apply rigorous security standards, and prove the platform under live conditions. This hands-on success solidifies Ascend’s position as a driving force in turning visionary digital designs into working, trusted continental utilities.
“Africa’s digital economy will only scale if data and identity can move safely across borders. Having helped develop and implement the SADX platform, we are proud to be entrusted with piloting it in Ghana. Our vision is an Africa where a citizen or business verified in one country can access services in another, with trust, security and sovereignty built in from the start,” stated Harkirit Singh, CEO, Ascend Digital Solutions Ltd.
About Smart Africa
The Smart Africa Alliance is a bold commitment by African Heads of State and Government to accelerate sustainable socio-economic development on the continent through ICTs and digital transformation. With 43 Member States and over 50 private-sector and development partners, Smart Africa’s vision is to create a single digital market for Africa that drives innovation, competitiveness, and inclusive growth.
About Ascend Digital Solutions Ltd.
Ascend Digital Solutions Ltd. is a pan-African digital transformation company based in Accra Ghana, with a mission to democratise access to broadband through meaningful connectivity, reducing the digital divide and increasing financial inclusion. Its vision is an Africa that becomes the world’s largest digital platform, with Ascend as the digital catalyst closing the broadband usage gap through technology and financial innovation.
Media contacts:
Ascend Digital Solutions:
Contact Person: Thomas Brien
Email: t.brien@ascenddigitalsol.com
Website: www.ascenddigitalsol.com
Social Media: X: @AscendLimited | FB: ascenddigtalsolltd | LinkedIn: ascend-digital-solutions-ltd | IG: @ascenddigitalsolutionsltd
Smart Africa:
Contact Person: Steven Muvunyi
E-mail: steven.muvunyi@smartafrica.org
Website: www.smartafrica.org
Social media: X: @RealSmartAfrica,|FB: RealSmartAfrica, |LinkedIn: Smart Africa, |IG: @realsmartafrica
