Smart Africa CEO strengthens ties with Gambian officials
Date: 2025-05-23
The Gambia took center stage in regional digital development discussions as Smart Africa CEO Lacina Koné engaged in high-level meetings with key government officials in Banjul. The series of strategic dialogues focused on accelerating The Gambia's digital economy agenda through strengthened collaboration with the Smart Africa Alliance.
During talks
with the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Lamin Jabbi both
parties reviewed The Gambia's active participation in the Smart Africa Alliance
and its critical role in the ongoing IDECT (Infrastructure for Digital
Education and Connectivity in Africa) project. Minister Jabbi reaffirmed The
Gambia's commitment to the continental digital agenda, with discussions
centering on the ratification process for the Smart Africa Alliance
establishment agreement.
"The
Gambia remains a valued partner in our collective mission to transform Africa
through digital innovation," stated Koné
during the meeting. He personally extended an invitation for Gambian leadership
to participate in the upcoming Transform Africa Summit 2025, the continent's
premier digital development gathering.
The Smart
Africa delegation further consulted with Dr. Njogou L. Bah, Director General of
The Gambia's Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA), examining how
progressive digital regulation can catalyze the nation's technological
advancement. Their exchange highlighted PURA's pivotal role in creating an
enabling environment for digital infrastructure development and inclusive
connectivity solutions.
These meetings
underscore The Gambia's growing strategic importance in West Africa's digital
landscape and Smart Africa's commitment to supporting member states in
implementing cutting-edge digital policies. The discussions yielded concrete
pathways for enhanced cooperation in digital skills development, regulatory
harmonization, and next-generation infrastructure deployment.
As The Gambia prepares to deepen its engagement with Smart Africa initiatives, these high-level exchanges signal a new phase of implementation-focused collaboration. The outcomes are expected to contribute significantly to The Gambia's national digital transformation roadmap while reinforcing regional integration through shared digital governance frameworks.
By: Nana Appiah Acquaye
