- Gaborone

The 2025B iPRIS Africa Phase was held in Gaborone, Botswana, from 6 to 9 October 2025 for the project's fifth cohort. It marked the convening of six National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs) from Eswatini, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia, along with the Regional Regulatory Organisations [RROs] (CRASA, EACO, WATRA) and key iPRIS implementing partners from SPIDER and PTS. The Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA) hosted the meeting, marking a significant landmark in reinforcing institutional capacity and fostering region-wide collaboration in Africa’s digital policy and regulatory ecosystem.

iPRIS has, from the very beginning in 2023, involved more than 30 NRAs from Sub-Saharan African countries in the project phases, providing them with support to improve their governance practices, collaborate more effectively, and create digital policies that are inclusive and reflect the specific conditions of their respective areas. This goal is crucial in a region where women are still 36% less likely to adopt mobile internet than men, and where digital exclusion is often a reflection of social inequalities (GSMA, 2025). iPRIS aims to tackle such issues by building regulatory capacity, promoting research-based regulations, and promoting gender-sensitive policies, thus ensuring that no one in Africa is left behind during the digital transformation process. This is the fifth iPRIS cohort, namely 2025B, to participate in the project since its inception.

Read about 2025B Europe phase in Sweden earlier this year here

Day 1: Reaffirming Africa’s digital transformation commitment

On Day 1  in Botswana, Mr Murphy Setshwane, the Acting CEO of BOCRA, pointed out that harmonised and forward-looking regulation is essential for Africa’s sustainable digital future in his opening remarks. He referred to the African Union's Digital Transformation Strategy as a roadmap that will bring about the envisioned connectivity that is inclusive, affordable, and secure for all. 

During this opening session, Mr Brian Mwansa from CRASA commended the initiative for its positive impact in the area of partnership among nations:

The European Union delegation also reiterated the importance of regional dialogues as a key component of the Team Europe D4D Initiative, which continues to invest in Africa's digital resilience and policy harmonisation. Edna Soomre, iPRIS Project Lead at SPIDER, highlighted the importance of iPRIS as not only a capacity-building but a collaborative platform where the regulators can exchange their experiences, highlight their advancements, and through the latter, gradually set the tone for the regulatory ecosystems that will be inclusive:

After the warm welcome, each NRA presented and reported on their Change Initiatives (CIs), setting the stage for exchanges among ICT experts, RROs, and the PTS team. The discussions served as a reminder of the cohort’s intention to move towards digital environments that are fair and sustainable across Africa. 

Day 2: Learning from global experience- regulation, inclusion, and foresight

The second day of the Botswana Follow-Up Phase facilitated an exchange between African regulators and international partners, where they drew practical lessons from European experiences and adapted them to the continent’s ever-changing and dynamic regulatory environment. The sessions, featuring experts from Telia AB, SPIDER, and PTS, explored the development of regulation in the open market, the critical importance of inclusivity, and the strategic foresight needed to address challenges arising from technological and demographic shifts.

Sofia Donner from Telia AB presented a historical viewpoint on the regulatory shift in Sweden from a state monopoly to a competitive market during the morning session. She explained how the regulators' thinking has evolved through different phases, from infrastructure expansion to consumer choice, and now emphasises security, resilience, and data protection. The session served as an eye-opener for regulators, highlighting the need to balance the competing demands of the market with accountability. It also underscored the importance of protecting public trust in digital services through the implementation of the three principles: transparency, consent, and lawful data handling.

She highlighted that “Telecom governance has moved beyond infrastructure and market dynamics. Today, regulators and operators must define their role in society by ensuring that communication systems serve public interest, national resilience, and inclusive development.”

Dr Caroline Wamala Larsson then took over the stage with a fascinating and insightful discussion on digital governance and inclusivity, supported by her fieldwork in Mozambique. She provided an example of how accessibility issues, ranging from inadequate infrastructure to cultural norms, can exacerbate the digital divide. The main point of her presentation was that inclusivity should not only be considered in the regulators’ designs but also in the infrastructure, planning and innovation policies. She also used iPRIS’s approach to argue that gender-responsive regulation is not a separate agenda but a very basic pillar of fair digital transformation.

In the same vein, Kerstin Borglin and Katja Sarajeva reintroduced the basics of project management, which had been initially discussed in the European phase in Sweden. They encouraged the participants to improve their CIs with more precise definitions of outcomes, ownership, and sustainability. A number of regulators used this session to measure their progress, refine their implementation roadmaps, and thus guarantee that the iPRIS discussions will result in actual institutional results, in terms of being measurable.

The day ended with Bengt Mölleryd, who advocated for strategic foresight as a tool for readiness. He offered participants a walkthrough of the techniques, such as horizon scanning, scenario planning, and visioning, the tools intended for regulators to be ahead in shifts of markets, demographics, and technology. His session encouraged participants to cultivate diverse perspectives within their institutions and to view foresight not as prediction, but as preparation for the unknown.

Day 3: Peer exchange and regional collaboration in action

Peer learning and targeted collaboration marked the third day of the Botswana Follow-Up Phase, involving NRAs that worked closely with their respective RROs — CRASA, EACO, and WATRA — plus iPRIS coordinators from SPIDER and the PTS.

The day was structured around small group sessions, which allowed each NRA to deliver detailed presentations of their CIs to get personalised feedback and to hold discussions on practical ways to deal with the implementation challenge. This format led to more profound discussions about ways to measure country-level impacts of strategic plans. The RRO, SPIDER and PTS teams were instrumental in linking these conversations to the global regulatory practice; they steered the teams through the facets of institutional resilience, impact measurement, and long-term policy sustainability.

Here are a few photo highlights from the sessions: 

Day 4: The Way Forward and Closing Reflections

The morning session focused primarily on 5G and high-performing networks, which were regarded as the main factors driving the digital transformation in Africa. The experts from Ericsson discussed not only the evolution of the mobile network but also the significance of 5G in smart manufacturing and other sectors. They pointed out that Africa's young population is a plus, and if investments in policy, infrastructure, and skills development are made in time, the continent can witness a digital revolution. 

Efosa Aigbe from Ericsson revealed that "Africa’s youth are accelerating technology adoption across the continent. By equipping them with digital skills and building high-performing networks, we’re laying the foundation for a new era of industrialisation and connectivity."

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Communications Commission, as a regulator, mentioned its national 5G policy, and the discussion also involved spectrum allocation, deployment costs, and the necessity of collaboration among the stakeholders. One of the points made repeatedly was that in Africa, connectivity is not just a service anymore but rather the base for industrial and social transformation.

The program then transitioned to the "Way Forward" sessions, which have become a hallmark of every iPRIS round. Each of the six regulators taking part showed the new versions of their Change Initiative (CI) roadmaps, discussed progress they had made since they started together and the stories that were drawn from interactions with peers. The discussions were characterised by openness, practicality, and collaboration and thus uncovered both the difficulties and the inventiveness of the teams involved. The day ended with shared moments at the Mokolodi Nature Reserve, as they continued to network with a shared goal grounded on trust and the idea of inclusive digital development.

View more highlights and reflections below: 

iPRIS is coordinated and implemented by SPIDER in strategic and technical partnership with the Swedish Post and Telecom Authority (PTS) and Institut luxembourgeois de régulation (ILR), as well as ARTAC, CRASA, EACO, and WATRA.

iPRIS is funded by the European Union, Sweden, and Luxembourg as part of the Team Europe Initiative “D4D for Digital Economy and Society in Sub-Saharan Africa” (Code: 001).

The iPRIS Project will convene its 2025B Africa Follow-Up Phase in Botswana from October 6 to 9. Over four days, National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs) and Regional Regulatory Organisations (RROs) will gather to advance ongoing Change Initiatives and deepen collaboration on some of the most pressing challenges shaping Africa’s digital future.

Representatives taking part will include those coming from the Eswatini Communications Commission (ESCCOM), the National Communications Authority of Sierra Leone (NatCA), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA), Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), and Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA). Additionally, the presence of RROs such as CRASA, WATRA, and EACO will emphasise that regional cooperation is paramount if regulatory transformation is to be realised. 

This Africa phase aims to build momentum following the May 2025B Europe round, where the same cohort gathered to map out their Change Initiatives. In Botswana, the regulators will provide further updates on their change initiatives. At the same time, various peer-to-peer exchanges will be designed to enhance project management, refine policy responses, and promote the sustainability of institutional impacts.

Interest Areas: Digital transformation and resilient Institutions

During the Africa phase, NRAs in this region will particularly focus on four main themes:

1. Digital transformation — inclusive, secure, and competitive digital ecosystems.
2. Spectrum management — mounting pressure emanates from mobile broadband, 5G, and emerging services.
3. Consumer protection tackling the accelerated use of digital platforms.
4. Institutional resilience for future-ready regulators who can develop fast with rapidly changing markets.

Regional Priorities in Context

The discussions come at a pivotal time. According to the GSMA- State of Mobile Internet Connectivity Report 2024, sub-Saharan Africa which has one of the most youthful populations globally has more than half of adults aged 18+ still unconnected. By the end of 2023, nearly 44% of the population in Sub-Saharan Africa subscribed to a mobile service, amounting to 527 million subscribers (GSMA), reflecting both the potential and the infrastructure challenges regulators must address. Meanwhile, cross-border digital services, cybersecurity threats, and the need for harmonised frameworks place additional demands on NRAs.

By convening in Botswana, this delegation will continue to strengthen the role of iPRIS as a focal point for regulatory cooperation and advance the resolution of real issues useful in sustaining long-term capacity building. The result of these sessions will be national reforms, as well as a solid regional coordination framework vital to Africa's continued digital transformation.

iPRIS is coordinated and implemented by SPIDER in strategic and technical partnership with the Swedish Post and Telecom Authority (PTS) and Institut luxembourgeois de régulation (ILR), as well as ARTAC, CRASA, EACO, and WATRA.

iPRIS is funded by the European Union, Sweden, and Luxembourg as part of the Team Europe Initiative “D4D for Digital Economy and Society in Sub-Saharan Africa” (Code: 001).

By Prof. Caroline Wamala Larsson

Imagine a farmer in rural Uganda who cannot make a mobile payment to their local agrovet because the village has no reliable coverage. Or a college student in Zimbabwe locked out of online classes because data costs consume too much of her family’s income. These are not isolated stories; they are daily realities for millions of Africans.

Connectivity is the backbone of economic growth, social inclusion, and civic participation. Yet nearly three-quarters of Africans remain offline or under-connected.  Telecom regulators shape the environment where digital innovation can thrive. By setting fair rules and fostering competition, they create the conditions for affordable, reliable access that benefits all. They are key enablers of a vibrant digital ecosystem.”

iPRIS: A platform for shared solutions

One initiative making this support tangible is the ICT Policy & Regulation – Institutional Strengthening (iPRIS) programme, coordinated by SPIDER in partnership with the Swedish Post and Telecom Authority (PTS) and the Luxembourg Regulatory Institute (ILR).  iPRIS offers regulators a year-long cycle of technical training, project management coaching, and peer-to-peer exchanges across Africa and Europe. iPRIS is funded by the European Union, Sweden, and Luxembourg as part of the Team Europe Initiative “D4D for Digital Economy and Society in Sub-Saharan Africa”

Since its launch in November  2023, iPRIS has engaged regulators from more than 30 countries, alongside regional bodies: ARTAC, CRASA, WATRA, EACO. Each cohort develops practical projects aligned with national priorities, which often evolve into regulatory reforms.

Progress within the region

The impact is already visible. In Tanzania, regulators pioneered Direct-to-Mobile Satellite Guidelines, extending connectivity to remote areas. In Mozambique, a Change Initiative grew into a national roaming regulation that allows rural families to remain connected even when one network fails. In Mauritius, regulators are safeguarding the digital ecosystem with new Cybersecurity Guidelines, strengthening trust in online platforms and preparing for a 5G-driven future. Uganda has stepped onto the global stage by hosting the ITU Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR 2024), bringing 900 delegates to Kampala and demonstrating Sub-Saharan Africa’s leadership in digital governance.

These milestones are the result of collaborative efforts across governments, regulators, development partners, and regional bodies. iPRIS is proud to have contributed as part of this wider community driving digital transformation.

Implementation of the ECOWAS Regional Free Roaming Regulation

At WATRA, a number of initiatives are ongoing, most of which have yielded results towards providing meaningful connectivity in the sub-region, and some of these initiatives include;

• Supporting the Implementation of the ECOWAS Regional Free Roaming Regulation which so far has provided affordable communication during migration within and across 9 West African nations with more progress to be made with the expected support from Workstream 2 of the iPRIS program;
• The advent of Non-Geostationary Orbit (NGSO) operations led to the development of an NGSO Framework at the regional (WATRA) level which provides a guide to Regulators on how to successfully engage the NGSO operators and leverage on their services to promote increased coverage and connectivity, especially in the underserved and unserved areas within the region.

WATRA is also proud to play an active role in the achievement of the Digital Transformation Strategy (DTS) 2020 – 2030 for Africa towards ensuring meaningful connectivity across all levels in the continent from the first to the last mile. Through the iPRIS project as well, various initiatives have been developed to promote connectivity across the sub-region, tackling critical areas of the telecommunications sector, ranging from Spectrum Management to 5G deployment. With other key collaborations with the ITU, Smart Africa, and other development partners, WATRA is making strides towards ensuring meaningful connectivity across West Africa and Africa at large.

Why inclusivity matters

For the regional regulatory organisations, inclusivity is not a slogan but a strategic goal. The  2023–2028  EACO strategic plan places bridging the digital divide at its core, bringing both urban and rural populations, women and men, into the digital economy.  According to Nora Sitati, Liaison Manager at the East African Communications Organisation (EACO): “Diversity enriches innovation—men and women approach challenges differently, and when those perspectives converge, the solutions are stronger and more practical.”

Inclusivity, in this context, means ensuring that communities are not passive recipients of connectivity but active participants in shaping it.

This perspective underscores a crucial reality: data must guide action. Disaggregated statistics on gender, disability, or rural populations highlight who is excluded and why. Without such evidence, interventions risk being generic and ineffective. With data, telecom regulators, can tailor policies to expand access where it is most needed.

Inclusivity is also an economic imperative. Excluding women, youth, or rural communities not only perpetuates inequality, it denies economies the contributions of millions of potential digital consumers, workers, and innovators. In other words, empowering marginalised groups is both socially just and economically smart.

Barriers and solutions

The obstacles to digital inclusion are deeply embedded in social structures—gender roles, class, age, and geography all shape access to resources and opportunities. Regulators cannot dismantle these barriers alone. Multi-stakeholder collaboration is essential, involving governments, telecom operators, academia, and civil society.

Awareness programmes and workshops are one way to bring multiple actors together. EACO, for example, has long demonstrated the value of including students and informal sector actors in its convenings. These efforts widen participation and help build solutions that reflect the needs of diverse communities.

Representation at the decision-making table is equally important. Solutions are more likely to succeed when the groups most affected—youth, women, persons with disabilities—are directly involved in shaping them. Exclusion at this stage only reinforces the very inequalities digitalisation seeks to overcome. Diversity is not just a matter of fairness; it is a driver of innovation. Different demographic groups bring unique perspectives to problem-solving. When rural and urban voices, men and women, young and old are all represented, regulatory frameworks and digital solutions become more practical, creative, and impactful.

A digital future that is equitable

The African Union’s Digital Transformation Strategy (2020–2030) recognises that Africa’s youth—nearly 60% of the population—are its greatest asset. Unlocking this demographic dividend requires lowering broadband costs, adopting gender-responsive policies, harmonising roaming regulations, and forging strong public–private partnerships to accelerate infrastructure rollout.

iPRIS is advancing this agenda by giving regulators the technical tools, data, and networks to deliver reforms that matter. Inclusivity, when embedded in regulation, ensures that Africa’s digital future is equitable as well as innovative.

As Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), reminded delegates at the Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR 2025) “Digital technologies – from AI to quantum – are advancing faster than any regulation can. The real race must not be to build the biggest or fastest systems, but to make these technologies work for everyone – especially while 2.6 billion people remain offline.”

The roadmap to 2030

Inclusive digital development is not simply about connecting people to the internet; it is about transforming lives, expanding opportunities, and empowering communities. By supporting regulators through programmes like iPRIS, and by embedding inclusivity into policy design, Africa can ensure that its digital revolution benefits all—especially those historically left behind.

As the continent moves toward 2030, regulators have an opportunity to align connectivity with broader goals of gender equality, social justice, and economic growth. This entails making deliberate efforts to close the digital gender gap, promoting affordable access for low-income households, and creating spaces where women, youth, and persons with disabilities can participate in shaping solutions.

If every regulatory framework places inclusivity at its core, Africa’s digital transformation will not only expand networks but also unlock the full potential of its people. The future is digital—and with inclusive regulation, it can also be equitable.

iPRIS is coordinated and implemented by SPIDER in strategic and technical partnership with the Swedish Post and Telecom Authority (PTS) and Institut luxembourgeois de régulation (ILR), as well as ARTAC, CRASA, EACO, and WATRA.

iPRIS is funded by the European Union, Sweden, and Luxembourg as part of the Team Europe Initiative “D4D for Digital Economy and Society in Sub-Saharan Africa” (Code: 001).