FG urges regional cooperation to bridge Africa’s digital divide

Nigeria's Federal Government is calling for strengthened regional cooperation among African nations to address the continent's significant digital divide. The government believes that increased collaboration is crucial for expanding internet connectivity, bolstering cybersecurity measures, harmonizing digital policies, and ultimately building a robust and inclusive digital economy.

“

We believe that regional cooperation is essential if Africa is to build a strong, inclusive, and innovative digital economy. Working together, we can expand connectivity, improve digital infrastructure, promote digital skills, strengthen cybersecurity, protect data and create opportunities for our people, especially our youth.

Nadungu Gagare, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, made the appeal at a Special Session of the Administrative Council of the African Telecommunications Union in Abuja. Represented by Ahmed Alsukun, Director of Human Resource Management, Gagare emphasized that collective action is essential for Africa to overcome shared digital challenges, particularly in the lead-up to important continental and global telecommunications conferences.

"Working together, we can expand connectivity, improve digital infrastructure, promote digital skills, strengthen cybersecurity, protect data and create opportunities for our people, especially our youth," Gagare stated. He highlighted the critical timing of the session, as African countries are preparing for the forthcoming ATU Conference of Plenipotentiaries. The decisions made in Abuja are expected to influence the future direction of the union and solidify Africa's unified stance on telecommunications and digital policy matters.

“

The decisions and the discussions over the next two days will inform the future of our union and strengthen Africa’s common position on key telecommunication and digital policy issues.

While acknowledging Africa's progress in the ICT sector, including expanding mobile connectivity and digital innovation, Gagare pointed out that substantial challenges persist. Millions of Africans still lack reliable internet access, digital infrastructure remains unevenly distributed, and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence necessitate coordinated policies and sustained capacity building. Recent data indicates that nearly one billion Africans do not use mobile internet, even when broadband coverage is available.

“

Africa has made significant progress in the ICT sector over the years. Mobile connectivity has grown. Digital innovation is expanding rapidly, and governments are increasingly adopting digital technologies to improve public service delivery. However, many challenges remain. Millions of our citizens still lack reliable internet access. Digital infrastructure is unevenly distributed, and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence require coordinated policy and sustained capacity building.