Africa stands on the brink of a transformative digital leap. With more people connected than ever before and mobile technology driving innovation across industries, the African Union Commission (AUC) and The GSM Association (GSMA) have joined forces to ensure that no one is left behind.

Africa’s digital journey is a story of progress, potential, and partnership. Over the past five years, 4G coverage in Africa has expanded from 41% in 2019 to 84% in 2024, reflecting substantial investment and innovation. Yet, rural areas still lag at 48% coverage, and bridging this gap will require targeted financing.

In some markets, policy reforms could reduce investment needs from $200 million to just $30 million. The potential impact is significant closing the usage gap could add $700 million to Africa’s GDP by 2030, while mobile broadband adoption has already helped lift 2.5 million Nigerians out of extreme poverty.

The one-year Technical Support for Digital Governance & Infrastructure Project is part of the African Union’s visionary drive to close the continent’s digital divide where over 840 million Africans remain offline, women are 19% less likely to use mobile internet than men, and investment gaps in rural connectivity and infrastructure persist.

Initiated following H.E. Commissioner Lerato Mataboge’s engagement with African Mobile and Telecommunication Operators earlier this year, the project is tasked with tackling the usage and investment gaps and delivering the inclusive benefits of the AI and digital revolution to every corner of the continent.

The hybrid kick-off meeting co-chaired by H.E. Lerato D. Mataboge, AU Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, and Ms. Caroline Mbugua, Senior Director Public Policy Africa , GSMA brought together AU officials, mobile operators, and industry experts in a strong demonstration of public–private collaboration to advance Africa digital Agenda.

The initiative will be data-driven, grounded in evidence, and aligned with the AU’s vision of a Digital Single Market by 2030, fully embedded in Agenda 2063’s Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan. Speaking at the launch, H.E. Mataboge underscored the importance of ambition and alignment.

“This project has to be data-driven and should focus on the three Ps — People, Projects, and Policy, to deliver real impact. All collaborations should be visionary — built not just to respond to today’s needs, but to anticipate and shape Africa’s digital future for generations to come,” the Commissioner underscored.

Digital transformation is at the heart of the African Union’s development agenda, recognised as a powerful driver of integration, productivity, and good governance. Through frameworks such as the Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa, the Africa Digital Compact, and the AU Strategy on Artificial Intelligence, the Union is working with Member States to create enabling policies, harmonised regulations, and scale digital solutions across education, health, agriculture, and trade to improve people lives and create new opportunities for doing business.

Caroline Mbugua, GSMA Senior Director, reaffirmed the industry’s support “We are committed to developing a collaborative roadmap that will support the African Union’s robust digital agenda and ensure that digital transformation benefits all Africans.”

The AU–GSMA project will harness tools such as the Digital Africa Index to guide evidence-based policymaking, enhance spectrum management, and create conditions for investment in digital and AI infrastructure and digital skills. It will also deliver capacity-building initiatives, fiscal policy reform dialogues, and sector-specific investment planning, ensuring Africa’s digital transformation is sustainable, inclusive, and future-ready.

By uniting governments, regulators, operators, and innovators, this partnership embodies a shared vision: Africa’s digital future will be built through strong collaboration with the private sector shaped to serve its people, empower its economies, and amplify its voice on the global stage.

For further information, please contact:

Souhila Amazouz, OIC. Head of Information Society Division | Directorate of Infrastructure and Energy | African Union Commission | E-mail: SouhilaA@africanunion.org | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

For Media Inquiries:

1. Bezayit Eyoel| Information Analyst| Department of Infrastructure and Energy| African Union Commission| E-mail: BezayitE@africanunion.org|
2. Mr. Gamal Eldin Ahmed A. Karrar | Senior Communication Officer | Information and Communication Directorate (ICD), African Union Commission | E-mail: GamalK@africanunion.org  Information and Communication

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