At the ongoing Mobile World
Congress 2025 (MWC25) in Barcelona, the CEO of Smart Africa, Lacina Koné met
with Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General of the International
Telecommunication Union (ITU) and Co-Chair of the Smart Africa Steering
Committee, for a high-level bilateral discussion. The meeting focused on
advancing Africa’s digital transformation agenda, with a particular emphasis on
the African AI Council Initiative and strategic coordination for upcoming
events aimed at fostering collaboration across the continent.
The discussions
underscored the critical role of partnerships in driving innovation and
inclusivity in Africa’s digital ecosystem. Both leaders reaffirmed their
commitment to working together to ensure that Africa harnesses the full
potential of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), to
address pressing challenges and unlock new opportunities for growth.
The African AI
Council Initiative, spearheaded by Smart Africa, aims to position the continent
as a global leader in responsible and inclusive AI development. The initiative
seeks to create a framework for AI governance, foster innovation, and build
capacity across African nations. During the meeting, Koné and Bogdan-Martin
discussed strategies to accelerate the implementation of the initiative,
emphasizing the importance of collaboration between governments, private sector
players, and international organizations.
The two leaders
also explored opportunities to enhance collaboration through upcoming events
and platforms. By aligning their efforts, Smart Africa and the ITU aim to
amplify their impact and drive collective action toward achieving Africa’s
digital transformation goals. These events will serve as critical forums for
sharing insights, best practices, and innovative solutions to advance
connectivity, digital skills, and regulatory harmonization.
In a related
development, Lacina Koné participated in the GSMA Roundtable on Advancing
Cross-Regulatory Governance, where he highlighted the importance of a unified
and harmonized approach to regulation in shaping Africa’s digital future. “Breaking
down silos, fostering innovation, and ensuring trust will unlock investment and
create a seamless digital economy,” Koné stated. He emphasized the role of
Smart Africa’s initiatives, such as the Smart Africa Trust Alliance (SATA), One
Africa Network (OAN), Smart Africa Digital Academy (SADA), Connected Africa
Alliance (CAR), and African Network for Cybersecurity and AI (ANCA), in driving
regulatory convergence and creating a stronger, more connected continent.
By: Nana Appiah Acquaye
