The event gathered policymakers, regulators, development partners, and telecom industry leaders to discuss strategies for closing the continent’s persistent digital divide.
The CEO of Ethio telecom, Frehiwot Tamru, called for a coordinated approach to accelerate Africa’s digital transformation during the GSMA Ministerial Roundtable at Mobile World Congress 2026 in Barcelona. The event gathered policymakers, regulators, development partners, and telecom industry leaders to discuss strategies for closing the continent’s persistent digital divide.
Tamru praised GSMA and GSMA Intelligence for creating the Digital Africa Index, which provides insights into Africa’s digital progress, but noted that only a limited number of African countries submitted the required digital sector data, resulting in analysis based on partial information. She urged governments and institutions across the continent to contribute national digital data to strengthen the index and guide policymaking, regulatory reforms, and investment decisions.
She emphasized that Africa’s digital transformation has often been approached in a fragmented manner, with sequential focus on network expansion, digital inclusion, affordable internet-enabled devices, and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. Tamru stressed that an integrated strategy, where network infrastructure, devices, local digital content, enabling policies, and regulations advance together, is essential for faster progress.
Tamru also highlighted the importance of strong collaboration among governments, regulators, telecom operators, technology partners, and development institutions, noting that without such coordination, it could take decades to fully address Africa’s digital divide.
