African governments have reaffirmed their commitment to expanding digital inclusion and accelerating internet access across the continent following the adoption of the Abuja Ministerial Declaration on Meaningful Connectivity for Africa during the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) Conference of Plenipotentiaries (CPL-2026) in Abuja.
The declaration, welcomed by the GSMA, commits African countries to advancing policies that promote meaningful connectivity, resilient digital infrastructure, technology-neutral regulation and wider access to locally relevant digital services. It also called for stronger partnerships between governments, industry and development partners to bridge Africa’s connectivity and digital usage gaps.
The GSMA said the agreement provides a stronger policy foundation for attracting investment and accelerating Africa’s digital transformation through evidence-based regulation and regional cooperation.
Speaking after the declaration, GSMA Senior Director for Public Policy in Africa, Caroline Mbugua, said the commitment by African governments reflects a shared vision of creating an investment-friendly digital ecosystem that supports innovation, digital inclusion and sustainable economic growth.
The conference also saw the launch of ATLAS Umoja AI, a pan-African initiative designed to advance the development of artificial intelligence in African languages.
Furthermore, the initiative is supported by the governments of Nigeria, Kenya, Togo, Namibia and Benin through their respective ministries responsible for communications, digital economy and digital transformation.
The governments are collaborating with the GSMA and African technology organizations, including Awarri, Zindi, Pawa AI and Mozisha, to develop AI systems that better reflect Africa’s languages, cultures and development priorities.
According to the GSMA, the initiative will support national AI programmes by encouraging governments, researchers and industry players to share expertise, datasets and best practices, helping build trusted and scalable AI solutions while improving access to digital services in local languages.
GSMA Head of Africa Angela Wamola said expanding AI in African languages will help address two of the biggest barriers to internet adoption, digital literacy and the limited availability of locally relevant digital content thereby supporting efforts to expand meaningful connectivity across the continent.
During the conference, policymakers and regulators also discussed future-ready regulatory frameworks covering satellite connectivity, spectrum management and technology-neutral licensing, with delegates agreeing that modern regulatory policies will play a key role in expanding connectivity, attracting investment and improving digital access in underserved communities.
Ultimately, the Abuja Declaration and the launch of ATLAS Umoja AI are expected to strengthen regional cooperation and support Africa’s long-term goal of building a more inclusive, connected and digitally competitive economy.
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