The ASToN Network

ASToN is a network of eleven African local authorities using digital transformation as a catalyst for becoming more inclusive and sustainable cities. ASToN member cities are doing this through exchange and peer-to-peer learning, engaging their local stakeholders in a process of change and transformation, blending urban intelligences1 and adopting new ways of working, all with a results-oriented approach. As a network, our hope is that by creating a cohort of partners, and collaborating in this way, ASToN cities will be empowered to effect change. They’ll become more effective, competent, autonomous and recognised enablers of economic and social wellbeing for their citizens, enabled by appropriate digital tools and in a sustainable manner for their local context.

This flagship initiative is funded by the French Development Agency (AFD), managed by the National Agency for Urban Renewal (ANRU), and using URBACT knowledge and tools. URBACT is a European cooperation program for cities. For 18 years, URBACT has worked with more than 1000 cities in Europe, to build cooperation networks between cities. Through URBACT, cities have developed tailor-made solutions to solve their local problems. In 2018, AFD and URBACT launched a call to African local authorities to create a network of partners in the transition to digital – ASToN. ASToN stands for the Africa Smart Towns Network.

11 African partners were selected, each from a different country, and participated throughout the first phase of the project: Bamako (Mali), Benguerir (Morocco), Bizerte (Tunisia), Kampala (Uganda), Kigali (Rwanda), Kumasi (Ghana), Lagos (Nigeria), Matola-Maputo (Mozambique), Niamey (Niger), Nouakchott (Mauritania), Sèmè-Podji (Benin).