African Nations Commit to Expanding Digital Connectivity
African countries have forged a new declaration aimed at making internet access more affordable, enhancing smartphone availability, and instituting technology-neutral regulations. This initiative is designed to boost digital connectivity across the continent and foster economic growth.
The underpinnings of this commitment were solidified in the 2026 Abuja Declaration on Meaningful Connectivity for Africa, which was ratified at the conclusion of the Seventh Ordinary Session of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) Plenipotentiary Conference held in Abuja on Friday.
The declaration tasks Member States with initiatives to reduce digital costs, expand broadband infrastructure, fortify consumer protection and cybersecurity, and enhance digital literacy. Special attention will be given to women, youth, individuals with disabilities, and marginalized communities.
The conference was organized by Nigeria’s Federal Government through the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy in collaboration with the Nigerian Communications Commission. During the event, Kezias Mwale from Zambia was elected as the new Secretary-General of the ATU, positioning Nigeria as President of the Plenipotentiary for the upcoming institutional cycle.
In her remarks, International Telecommunication Union Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin emphasized that Africa is aware of the steps necessary to bridge the digital divide. She highlighted enabling policies, affordability, and enhanced digital capabilities as critical pillars for achieving universal connectivity.
The ITU leader pointed out that, while mobile broadband currently reaches 86 percent of Africa’s population, only 36 percent are actively online. She stressed that, in several regions, mobile data costs consume about 4.2 percent of household monthly income—almost twice the Broadband Commission’s affordability target—while fixed broadband expenses can surpass 15 percent of income.
Bogdan-Martin also raised concerns about over $265 million held in the Universal Service Fund for 12 African nations that has remained untapped for a year, suggesting that these funds could significantly address last-mile connectivity challenges. She underscored that programs like the GSMA Handset Affordability Coalition are essential for providing more affordable devices, such as refurbished and entry-level smartphones, to the African populace. Equally important, she noted, is the cultivation of digital skills to empower African youth in leveraging emerging technologies.
Caroline Mbugua, Senior Director of Public Policy and Communications at GSMA Africa, also addressed the conference, asserting that modernizing regulations is pivotal for Africa’s digital future. She emphasized that regulatory modernization is not a mere technical detail but a fundamental enabler for the broader connectivity strategy.
Referencing the ITU’s 2025 Global Connectivity Report, Mbugua demonstrated that countries adopting modern regulatory approaches—such as technology-neutral licensing and fair spectrum pricing—exhibit 5G coverage levels significantly higher than those lacking such reforms. She cited the World Bank’s Regional Digital Integration Program in West Africa, noting that the latest licensing changes have increased broadband penetration from 26 percent to 36 percent over three years, concurrently reducing the cost of a gigabyte of data from around 10 percent of monthly income to about 5 percent.
Mbugua called for African regulators to revise their satellite licensing frameworks and ensure regulatory parity, ensuring that all operators providing similar services adhere to consistent obligations. “When regulatory frameworks differ significantly, capital tends to gravitate toward areas of certainty,” she explained, highlighting that Africa cannot afford a regulatory environment detrimental to its own investments.
John Omo, the outgoing ATU Secretary-General, presented the Ministerial Declaration adopted by the Member States, which encompasses issues ranging from digital inclusion to fiscal policy and capacity building. He urged African Union Commission, ITU, regional businesses, industry stakeholders, and civil society to collaborate in realizing meaningful connectivity across Africa and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
At the closing ceremony, Dr. Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, stressed the need for enhanced cooperation among African nations to implement the resolutions from the conference. “Every discussion, every decision, every compromise reflects a shared commitment and belief that Africa’s digital future will be stronger when we work together,” he remarked, emphasizing that collective effort is crucial for tapping into the potential of the digital economy.
Lastly, Secretary-General-elect Kezias Kazuba Mwale, following a four-round voting process, expressed his commitment to serving the Union with humility. His tenure will begin on January 1, 2027, for a four-year term, during which he highlighted the significance of responsible leadership in steering the ATU through this transformative phase.
