Our Insights and Thought Leadership

How Europe and Africa can unlock tech opportunities through stronger collaboration — August 18 2025
On digital infrastructure, green innovation, and talent exchange shaping a values-based tech order.
https://www.weforum.org/stories/2025/08/how-europe-and-africa-can-unlock-tech-opportunities/

How shared digital infrastructure can bridge the gap in Africa — April 9 2025
Argues that regional shared digital infrastructure is key to closing compute and data-center gaps.
https://www.weforum.org/stories/2025/04/how-shared-digital-infrastructure-can-bridge-the-gap-in-africa/

How Africa could help diversify the booming global semiconductor industry — March 6 2025
Explores Africa’s role in building resilient semiconductor supply chains through assembly and testing hubs.
https://www.weforum.org/stories/2025/03/how-africa-could-help-to-diversify-the-booming-global-semiconductor-industry/

From oil to futures: Why the Gulf is well placed to play a key role in global decision-making — February 20 2025
Examines GCC tech diplomacy and futures-driven governance.
https://www.weforum.org/stories/2025/02/oil-futures-gulf-gcc-global-decision-making/

Why Africa could provide the next semiconductor ecosystem for the chip business — July 17 2024
Makes the case for Kenya and peers as emerging nodes in global semiconductor manufacturing.
https://www.weforum.org/stories/2024/07/why-africa-could-provide-the-next-semiconductor-ecosystem-for-the-chip-business/

How data standards, ethical AI and diaspora are key to ASEAN’s digital economy — June 26 2024
Advocates for ethical AI frameworks and diaspora engagement to unlock ASEAN’s digital growth.
https://www.weforum.org/stories/2024/06/ethical-ai-diaspora-aseans-digital-economy/

The Quest for Tech and Manufacturing Sovereignty — July 1 2025
Argues that real sovereignty requires openness, alliances, and shared standards—not isolation.
https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/tech-sovereignty-cannot-be-achieved-in-isolation-by-nii-simmonds-2025-07

Opinion: Why Africa’s aviation potential is good for development — February 11 2025
Positions air transport as a public good driving AfCFTA-era development.
https://www.devex.com/news/opinion-why-africa-s-aviation-potential-is-good-for-development-109201

Digital services for e-government: Opportunities for a future 2.5 billion African demographic market — June 7 2024
Report outlining e-governance growth pathways and policy frameworks.
https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/in-depth-research-reports/report/digital-services-for-e-government-opportunities-for-a-future-2-5-billion-african-demographic-market/

How the US can build better strategic partnerships in Africa to secure critical minerals — October 9 2023
Calls for deeper manufacturing and R&D partnerships between the US and Africa.
https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/how-the-us-can-build-better-strategic-partnerships-in-africa-to-secure-critical-minerals/

Mitigating Supply Chain Threats: Building Resilience Through AI-Enabled Early Warning Systems — January 2023
Co-authored with Alice Lynch — exploring how AI can improve supply-chain risk intelligence and resilience.
https://cetas.turing.ac.uk/about/authors/nii-simmonds