African Union and GSMA Discuss Digital Inclusion at ITU Conference

The African Union Commission  has held discussions with the GSMA  on advancing digital inclusion across Africa, focusing on expanding access to digital devices, encouraging meaningful use of digital services and addressing language barriers.

The discussions took place during a bilateral meeting between H.E. Lerato D. Mataboge, Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy at the African Union Commission, and Vivek Badrinath, Director General of the GSMA, on the sidelines of the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2026 (PP-26).

The meeting also focused on implementing the outcomes of the sixth session of the Specialised Technical Committee on Communication and ICT (STC-CICT-6) and preparations for the African Union’s 2027 Theme of the Year, titled “AU at the Dawn of its 25th Anniversary: Leveraging the Full Potential of SAATM and New Technologies for Continental Integration.”

Both parties explored areas of cooperation to support Africa’s digital inclusion agenda, particularly by making digital devices more accessible, promoting their meaningful use and tackling linguistic barriers that prevent some populations from benefiting fully from digital opportunities.

The African Union Commission’s Infrastructure and Energy Department said strategic partnerships and collective efforts remain important to advancing the continent’s digital transformation and building an inclusive, connected Africa.