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Tag: Connected Africa Summit 2026

  • 14 African countries announce support for Africa Digital Inclusivity Standard Harmonisation

    14 African countries announce support for Africa Digital Inclusivity Standard Harmonisation

    Fourteen African countries have formally announced their support for the harmonisation of the Africa Digital Inclusivity Standard, marking a significant milestone toward building an inclusive and accessible digital future for the continent.

    The announcement was made during the Ministerial Roundtable of digital inclusion, at the closing ceremony of the connected Africa Summit 2026 that included a representation from Kenya, Angola, Chad, Malawi and South Sudan.

    Digital accessibility for persons with disabilities refers to the design and development of digital products and services so that people with different types of disabilities can perceive, understand, navigate, and interact with them effectively and independently.

    Digital accessibility ensures that websites, mobile applications, software, online platforms, ATMs, payment systems, and other digital technologies are usable by people with disabilities such as visual, hearing, physical, speech, cognitive, or neurological impairments.

    Through a strategic partnership between inABLE and the African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO) Africa is developing its first harmonised digital accessibility standard for ICT products and services.

    The proposed standard is being tailored to reflect African realities, including infrastructure gaps, linguistic diversity, varying levels of connectivity, and the lived experiences of African communities.

    Speaking during the closing session, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of ICT and the Digital Economy William Kabogo, underscored the importance of inclusive digital transformation across the continent.

    He emphasised that Africa’s rapidly expanding digital economy must be built on the principle that no one is left behind, particularly persons with disabilities who continue to face barriers in accessing digital products and services.

    ARSO Technical Director Reuben Kisore, reaffirmed the technical commitment to harmonising digital accessibility standards to ensure consistency across the continent.

    He noted that standardisation will enable devices and technologies developed or deployed in Africa to meet uniform accessibility requirements, facilitating interoperability, market access, and consumer protection.

    “Currently, 14 countries have confirmed participation in the harmonisation process, with more expected to join,” he added.

    Secretary of State for Telecommunications and Information Technologies of the Republic of Angola, Ângelo Miguel Buta João called for strengthened continental cooperation.

    He noted that aligning Africa’s digital accessibility standards with global benchmarks will enhance competitiveness, enable African innovations to access international markets, and ensure the continent is not left behind in the global digital economy.

    Minister of Information, Communication Technology and Postal Services of the Republic of South Sudan, Ateny Wek Ateny confirmed his country’s commitment to the process.

    He highlighted South Sudan’s existing affirmative action policy allocating 10 per cent of opportunities to persons with disabilities and emphasised the importance of harmonised regulations to strengthen inclusive digital development and shared learning across borders.

    The Africa Digital Inclusivity Standard harmonisation process represents a bold step toward a digitally inclusive continent, one where technology empowers all citizens, drives economic growth, and safeguards equal participation in the digital age.

  • African countries explore united strategy to drive digital economy

    African countries explore united strategy to drive digital economy

    African countries have been challenged to commit to a united strategy that will ensure the continent builds a sovereign digital infrastructure to guarantee seamless connectivity.

    According to speakers at the Connected Africa Summit 2026 currently underway in Nairobi, the prevailing fragmentation of policies, infrastructure and data protection has locked out many people in the continent from enjoying digital services.

    “Despite massive strides, there are still communities where fibre has not reached, there are regions where connectivity remains unreliable and citizens who remain digitally excluded and we have also witnessed moments where infrastructure damage cause some regions to be in darkness,” said John Tanui, ICT and the Digital Economy Principal Secretary.

    For instance according to data by GSMA, despite growing investment in infrastructure in Africa, out of an estimated 1.4 billion people in the continent, 75pc of the population are not connected to mobile internet.

    Additionally, 64pc of the people in Africa equivalent to 960 million are not using mobile internet despite living in an area where coverage is available.

    “As digital transformation accelerates globally, Africa stands at a very critical inflection point. The decision we make today and over this period of summit will determine our continent’s position in the future global economy,” added Tanui,

    A unified strategy Under the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Digital Trade Protocol is backed to help African countries unlock cross border commerce, simply market access, accelerate regional trade for sectors such as banking and telecommunications.

    “Investing in Africa’s digital infrastructure, digital services, innovation and research and development is essential to leapfrog traditional development, fostering a unified digital market, economic resilience, prioritizing public private partnerships, cloud first policies and artificial intelligence skills for youth will close the digital divide and drive a sustainable growth across the continent, “ said Lily Ng’ok, Chair ICT Authority.

    The continent is also expected to unlock billion of investment from private sector through the deployment of sovereign digital infrastructure as well as enacting unified data governance framework and ensuring critical infrastructure and computational power are hosted within the continent.

    “The choices we make today will shape Africa digital future for generations to come. Let us therefore move forward with unity, resolve and with shared commitment to building an inclusive digital market for our continent,” added Jessy Mavuti, Chief Executive Officer, ICT Authority.

    This year’s connected summit which is the 15th and the third focusing on Africa brings together at least 1500 delegates from at least 47 countries.