The African Union Commission and the GSMA have discussed ways to expand digital inclusion across Africa, focusing on reducing barriers to device ownership, improving access to digital services and addressing language differences that prevent millions of people from fully participating in the digital economy.
The discussions took place during a bilateral meeting between the African Union Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, Lerato D. Mataboge, and GSMA Director General, Vivek Badrinath, on the sidelines of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Plenipotentiary Conference 2026.
Both organisations explored areas of cooperation to support Africa’s digital inclusion agenda, particularly by making digital devices more accessible and encouraging people to use digital services for activities beyond basic communication.
The discussions also highlighted the need to address linguistic barriers, which can limit access to online information, digital platforms and services for people who are not comfortable using dominant international languages.
Expanding device access and promoting meaningful use of technology are important parts of Africa’s broader digital transformation efforts. While mobile connectivity continues to create opportunities across the continent, affordability, digital skills and the availability of services in local languages remain challenges for many communities.
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The meeting also examined how to implement the outcomes of the sixth session of the African Union’s Specialised Technical Committee on Communication and ICT (STC-CICT-6), which provides a framework for cooperation on the continent’s communication and technology priorities.
Preparations for the African Union’s 2027 Theme of the Year also featured in the discussions. The theme, titled “AU at the Dawn of its 25th Anniversary: Leveraging the Full Potential of SAATM and New Technologies for Continental Integration,” places technology among the tools for strengthening cooperation and integration across African countries.
The Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), referenced in the theme, is an African Union initiative aimed at liberalising air transport across the continent. Its inclusion alongside new technologies reflects the AU’s broader ambition to use connectivity and innovation to deepen continental integration.
The African Union Commission’s Department of Infrastructure and Energy said strategic partnerships and collective efforts would remain important to advancing Africa’s digital transformation and building an inclusive, connected continent.
Although the meeting did not announce a specific funding package or formal agreement, the engagement provides an opportunity for the AU and the GSMA to explore how governments and the telecommunications industry can work together to make digital opportunities more accessible to underserved populations.
About the Author
Cecilia Attah is a tech analyst with a degree from Benue State University. She covers tech news and startups at TechRegard with a focus on how technology is transforming Africa and shaping the global landscape.
