Can Africa Build Digital Sovereignty in the
	Age of Cloud Computing and AI?

On 18 June 2026, Claire Poirson took part in a panel discussion at VivaTech 2026 alongside Danny Afahounko, CEO of Cloud-InSPiRe, a cloud operator active in France and Africa, and Arnaud Gompou, Head of Côte d’Ivoire’s One-Stop Investment Service. The discussion was moderated by Gaëlle Picard-Abezis, a strategy and startup growth consultant.

The panel explored issues relating to digital sovereignty, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, cybersecurity and governance, against a backdrop in which control over digital infrastructure is becoming a major driver of development and strategic autonomy.

Digital sovereignty is often presented as a political ambition. But how can it be turned into an operational reality?

At a time when cloud infrastructure, data and AI systems are becoming strategic assets, one central question arises:

• Can an artificial intelligence strategy exist without control over the infrastructure that makes it possible?

• What legal, regulatory and governance frameworks can reconcile innovation, economic development and sovereignty?

• How can we move from discussion to action?

Watch the highlights of the panel discussion by accessing the replay.