MWC25 Kigali Opens with Calls for Policy Reforms to Accelerate Africa’s Digital Transformation

21 October 2025, Kigali: As GSMA MWC25 Kigali opens today, industry leaders, innovators and policymakers from across Africa and beyond are gathering to explore how mobile technology can accelerate inclusive growth and drive Africa’s digital future. The event takes place as Africa stands on the brink of a digital revolution set to unlock unprecedented opportunities across the region.

However, to unlock this opportunity, the GSMA spotlighted three urgent priorities for policymakers: handset affordability, inclusive artificial intelligence (AI) language models and energy resilience – calling for bold policy reforms and investment to make the next steps in Africa’s digital transformation a reality.

Vivek Badrinath, Director General of the GSMA, said: “Africa’s mobile sector is one of the most dynamic in the world, but we must tackle persistent barriers such as high device costs, energy availability issues and the lack of inclusive AI. By working together, governments, industry and development partners can make digital inclusion affordable, sustainable and meaningful for every African.”

For the third consecutive year, His Excellency Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda, formally opened MWC Kigali, which runs for three days and features a packed programme of sessions, summits, and speakers from international organisations and government. The opening keynote, “Africa’s Future First – Determining the Path to a Digital Future”, saw policymakers, tech pioneers and operators share their vision of how infrastructure, AI and regulations must evolve in tandem to make connectivity universal. This year also marks the debut of the GSMA Ministerial Programme, providing a platform to shape policies that will accelerate the region’s digital transformation.

The GSMA Mobile Economy Africa 2025 Report
With the world’s youngest and fastest-growing population, Africa stands at the forefront of a digital transformation reshaping every sector of its economy. The GSMA Mobile Economy Africa 2025 Report, launched today, shows how mobile connectivity is fuelling economic growth, innovation and inclusion across the continent.

Key insights:

• The mobile sector contributed $220 billion to Africa’s economy in 2024 (7.7% of GDP), projected to reach $270 billion by 2030 (7.4%).
• The ecosystem supported around 8 million jobs (5 million direct, 3 million indirect) and generated $30 billion in public funding in 2024.
• 416 million people in Africa now use mobile internet, expected to rise to 576 million by 2030 (33% of the population).
• 4G adoption will increase from 45% to 54%, while 5G connections are forecast to surge from 2% to 21% by 2030.
• The coverage gap across Africa is below 5%, yet a usage gap of 960 million people persists – 790 million in Sub-Saharan Africa alone, the largest usage gap in the world.
• Between 2024 and 2030, operators will invest $77 billion in new networks, with revenues expected to reach $79 billion by 2030.

Handset Affordability Coalition

Today, the GSMA and six of Africa’s largest mobile operators – Airtel, Axian Telecom, Ethio Telecom, MTN, Orange, and Vodacom – proposed a new industry-wide baseline for an affordable entry-level 4G smartphone. Part of the GSMA Handset Affordability Coalition, the initiative aims to lower smartphone costs and expand digital inclusion across Africa. Recent success has been seen in South Africa, where the government abolished 9% ad valorem (luxury) taxes on entry-level smartphones priced at R2,500 (USD 150) and below – a decisive step towards expanding digital inclusion for millions.

African AI Language Models

Another key theme at MWC Kigali this year, The AI Future, is highlighting how African-led innovation is transforming AI into practical solutions across health, education and finance. Building on this, the GSMA – together with Africa’s leading mobile operators and the AI ecosystem – Airtel, the African Population for Health Research Center (APHRC), Awarri, Axian Telecom, Cassava Technologies, Ethio Telecom, Masakhane African Languages Hub, Lelapa AI, MTN, Orange, Pawa AI, Qhala, the World Sandbox Alliance and Vodacom – announced a continent-wide collaboration to develop inclusive African AI language models. Under the shared ambition “AI in Africa, by Africa, for Africa,” the initiative will aim to strengthen Africa’s AI ecosystem by addressing gaps in data, compute, talent and policy, ensuring African languages, cultures and knowledge are represented in the global digital future.

Energy Resilience: Aligning Policy at the Ministerial Programme

Reliable and affordable power remains a critical enabler of digital inclusion. The GSMA Mobile Economy Africa 2025 Report highlights that more than 80% of the world’s unelectrified population live in Africa, underscoring energy access as a foundational barrier to digital transformation. Without reliable power, communities cannot fully benefit from mobile connectivity, digital services, or broadband expansion. Ministers and regulators will meet at the GSMA Ministerial Programme to explore how national planning for energy and digital connectivity can be aligned – unlocking the productive use of both to power digital services, improve livelihoods, drive sustainable development and support Africa’s transition to a modern, connected economy.

Angela Wamola, Head of Africa, GSMA, added: “Here in Kigali, the message is clear: Africa has the talent and ambition, but reforms on affordability, AI and energy are essential to drive inclusive growth and ensure everyone benefits from the digital economy.”

For more information and the latest event updates, visit www.mwckigali.com and the MWC Kigali Press Zone.

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About the GSMA
The GSMA is a global organisation unifying the mobile ecosystem to discover, develop, and deliver innovation foundational to positive business environments and societal change. Our vision is to unlock the full power of connectivity so that people, industry, and society thrive. Representing mobile operators and organisations across the mobile ecosystem and adjacent industries, the GSMA delivers for its members across three broad pillars: Connectivity for Good, Industry Services and Solutions, and Outreach. This activity includes advancing policy; tackling today’s biggest societal challenges; underpinning the technology and interoperability that make mobile work; and providing the world’s largest platform to convene the mobile ecosystem at the MWC and M360 series of events.

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