Last week marked the end of Week One of the 8th iPRIS Cohort peer-to-peer learning programme in Stockholm, Sweden. Telecom experts from Liberia Telecommunications Authority(LTA), Information and Communications Technologies Authority (ICTA), Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN), National Communications Authority (NatCA), Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA), Postal & Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ), convened to strengthen their regulatory capacity and advance digital transformation across Sub-Saharan Africa.
According to GSMA (2024), Sub-Saharan Africa remains the region with the lowest connectivity levels and the most extensive coverage and usage gaps, with 27% connected, a coverage gap of 13%, and a usage gap of 60%. This report highlights the need for African telecom experts to strengthen their regulatory capacity so as to bridge these gaps and advance inclusive digital connectivity.
Throughout the week, participants engaged in interactive discussion sessions led by experts from iPRIS implementing partners, including the Swedish Program for ICT in Developing Regions SPIDER and the Swedish Post and Telecom Authority (PTS). Progressively, the sessions transitioned from foundational concepts in systems thinking and regulation to more applied discussions on institutional frameworks and the practical design of Change Initiatives (CIs).
The first day of the programme focused on grounding participants in their Change Initiatives and an afternoon project management session to strengthen and enable effective regulatory change.
Each National Regulatory Authority introduced its change initiatives, including quality of service, Digital inclusion for people with disabilities, Cybersecurity, Market regulation, and Spectrum management. In detail, the NRAs outlined their core focus, gaps, challenges, and scope, and received feedback from not only telecom experts from PTS and SPIDER but also fellow NRAs. This peer exchange reinforced one of the core strengths of iPRIS collaborative regulatory learning across regions. Key frameworks such as Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) were mentioned, highlighting iPRIS's commitment to digital inclusivity.
Building on the CIs' presentations, Malena Liendholm Ndounou (SPIDER) led the participants through a project management session, shifting the focus to practical implementation. The session introduced key tools, including a project management plan, which will help them ensure effective execution of these projects so they not only meet their objectives but also advance digital inclusivity in Sub-Saharan Africa. As Malena emphasised:
A central message from the session was that successful regulatory projects depend not only on technical expertise, but also on how clearly the problem is defined and how realistically the solution is designed. Malena further emphasised success factors beyond traditional results-based management, highlighting focus, simplicity, faith, and structured planning as essential elements for driving sustainable regulatory change.
Day 2 shifted focus toward the institutional and legal frameworks shaping telecom regulation in Sweden and the broader European context.
Legal experts Per Andersson and Antonia Wopenka from PTS introduced participants to the Swedish constitutional system, the structure of government institutions, and PTS's role as an independent regulatory authority. The discussion also explored how public financing, accountability structures, and institutional independence shape regulatory effectiveness.
A key emphasis was placed on the principle of independence in regulatory work.
This reinforced the importance of safeguarding regulatory decisions from external influence in order to maintain credibility, fairness, and consistency in enforcement.
Complementing this perspective, Antonia Wopenka highlighted Sweden’s strong legal culture of openness and accountability, particularly in public administration. He stated:
“Transparency and access are the rule, and secrecy is the exception. Official documents should be accessible to all, and secrecy must always be grounded in law.”
Given that the EU forms the foundation of regulation in Sweden, a session on the overview of the EU, how it works and how Sweden navigates in the EU was insightful.
Digital connectivity is fundamentally about communications, particularly secure communications. Building on these, the second half of the day focused on emerging priorities in digital regulation.
Jesper Svedberg from PTS presented on secure communications and telecom preparedness, highlighting the importance of resilience, emergency readiness, and international cooperation in ensuring continuity of communication services during crises.
A session on the European Digital Identity Wallet by Per-Erik Vitasp illustrated how regulatory systems are evolving to support seamless, secure access to key national services across banking, healthcare, travel, and government platforms. By reducing reliance on repeated identity verification, the system represents a shift toward interoperable and user-centred digital governance.
The day concluded with a cybersecurity session by Gustav Söderlind. Cybersecurity has been an emerging threat to the telecom sector, and this session helped share insights into how regulatory frameworks aim to curb cybersecurity risks. Through the PTS regulations and the EU’s influence on cybersecurity policies, cybersecurity has been viewed as a question of digital resilience, regulatory oversight, and cross-border trust, reflecting the increasing interconnectedness of modern telecom systems.
As the week progressed, participants began to strengthen and refine their CIs through deeper engagement with project management methodologies. Malena Liedholm Ndounou (SPIDER) emphasised the importance of strategic planning.
This was reinforced by the introduction of a structured seven-stage project cycle that guides participants through problem identification, objective setting, outcome definition, indicator selection, resource planning, stakeholder mapping, implementation, and MEAL.
Through case scenarios and examples from European Union and SPIDER-led projects, participants were encouraged to think critically about how regulatory ideas translate into real-world implementation.
DEI remained central to the discussions. The importance of inclusive regulatory design was highlighted, ensuring that digital transformation initiatives consider underserved communities, accessibility, and broader social equity dimensions throughout the implementation stages of a project. This was further echoed in reflections on budgeting and equity, with the reminder that:
“There is no such thing as a neutral budget, and a budget that does not seek to balance or to reduce inequalities will by definition contribute to reinforcing existing inequalities.” - Malena Liedholm Ndounou (SPIDER)
This day also included a field visit to the PTS, providing participants with practical exposure to the regulatory environment discussed in theory.
As the week drew to a close, participants continued to attend technical sessions on JEO numbering and spectrum management, deepening their understanding of telecom systems and regulatory evolution.
Discussions on numbering systems highlighted how traditional geographically bound structures are evolving into more flexible, user-centric frameworks driven by mobile technology. These shifts reflect broader changes in how communication services are structured and regulated in increasingly digital societies.
At the same time, participants explored challenges such as identity manipulation and fraud. A growing concern was the rise of SMS-based fraud, as criminals increasingly shifted from voice spoofing. This highlighted the need for continuously adaptive regulatory responses to emerging risks.
Another key discussion focused on telecom pricing regulation, where structured cost models were presented as tools to ensure that operators recover investment and operating costs while maintaining fair and sustainable market conditions.
iPRIS is committed to shaping an inclusive, digitally empowered future; hence, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are central to the regulations. Marking the end of week one, the participants indulged in sessions on DEI led by SPIDER experts, Malena Liendholm Ndounou and Caroline Wamala Larsson.
Throughout the morning sessions, participants explored various concepts and frameworks in DEI. Starting with intersectionality, Caroline Wamala Larsson emphasised that inequality cannot be understood through gender alone but multiple identities, including age, gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, race, and religion, intersect to shape individuals’ access to resources, opportunities, and digital inclusion.
“Just as there's a gender digital divide, there's also an age divide, a race or ethnicity divide, and even a geographic divide. Many of you have talked about the rural divide in terms of how many people are actually online. So these divides also need to be considered because resources are not only about women, but also about age.” - Caroline Wamala Larsson(SPIDER)
On equity, Malena noted that having the same rights does not necessarily mean having the same opportunities. The participants explored ways to address barriers to equity, including affordability, digital literacy, relevance, safety, and security.
“Having the same rights does not necessarily translate into having the same opportunities. Equity is about targeted needs-based support.” - Malena Liendholm Ndounou(SPIDER)
The session on DEI ended with an emphasis on regulators' roles in designing inclusive systems, particularly in sectors like telecommunications, to ensure inclusion and accessibility for all, including people with disabilities. Key examples included assistive technologies such as wheelchair-accessible ATMs, audio-supported interfaces, and Braille. The session highlighted the need to proactively create inclusive environments, recognising that disability is not always permanent or visible, as ageing can lead to conditions like low vision, loss of fingerprints, or limited mobility.
The afternoon sessions explored SPIDER’s role in inclusive development. Edna Soomre, JohnBlack Kabukye, and Katja Sarajeva introduced SPIDER’s projects. The projects were anchored in a human-centred approach to technology, as emphasised by Edna Soomre.
SPIDER has been working on inclusive digital and health innovation projects to strengthen access to essential services and build institutional capacity. Through initiatives such as Health Alliance for Digital Development and Action (HADDA) and HoliCare, SPIDER supports the development and localisation of healthcare solutions, including improved access to diagnostics and the integration of technology with training for health workers to enhance patient outcomes.
The sessions also highlighted broader digital governance considerations, including capacity-building approaches such as EU Twinning programmes that support collaboration between government institutions and international partners to address development needs.
Week One of the 8th iPRIS Cohort established a strong foundation for the telecom experts in Stockholm. Across the sessions, participants progressed from conceptual discussions of regulation to a more applied understanding of how policy frameworks, institutional structures, and technological change interact in practice. The week consistently emphasised the need to translate regulatory intent into actionable, measurable, and context-sensitive interventions.
A key insight that emerged was the evolving nature of telecom ecosystems, in which traditional systems are being reshaped by digital transformation, while new risks demand adaptive and forward-looking regulatory frameworks. In this context, Dr Caroline Wamala Larsson (SPIDER) emphasised the importance of trust and safety in digital transformation.
This was complemented by Katja Sarajeva (SPIDER), who highlighted the inherent trade-offs in digital systems, stating that:
“Making things accessible and easy to use always comes at the cost of security, and cybersecurity often makes things very inconvenient.” Katja Sarajeva (SPIDER)
Week One, therefore, marked the start of a deeper process of refining Change Initiatives into practical solutions that can strengthen digital inclusion and regulatory effectiveness across Sub-Saharan Africa.
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
Having lived in Sweden for more than two decades, I have seen what coordinated telecommunications policy can achieve.
I remember arriving late one winter evening in Brussels for a conference. The city was unfamiliar, the streets quiet, and I was unsure how to get to my hotel. Standing at the station, I called my husband in Stockholm. Using online maps, he guided me step by step until I arrived safely. Across Europe, connectivity follows the user, not the border. Whether travelling from Sweden to Norway or further south to Spain, my phone works as if I never left home. Calls cost the same, networks are seamless, and the experience is largely invisible.
This is not accidental. It is the result of regulatory cooperation across borders and countries choosing to prioritise affordable, reliable connectivity for their citizens. In many parts of Africa, particularly along border regions, the reality is very different.
Across sub-Saharan Africa, border communities function as shared social and economic spaces rather than clear divides. Trade, family ties, and daily movement flow across boundaries that were colonially imposed rather than socially defined. Yet mobile networks do not reflect this reality. Phones frequently latch onto foreign signals without warning, triggering roaming charges or service disruptions. For many, this is not just inconvenient it is costly.
Consider Nana Mensah, a small bakery owner in Aflao, a town along the Ghana–Togo border. Her business relies heavily on mobile connectivity to coordinate with customers, place orders with suppliers, and manage deliveries. Yet even within a small radius, her phone may connect to a neighbouring country’s network instead.
The impact goes beyond her alone. Her customers struggle to reach her, orders are delayed or missed, and communication with suppliers of key ingredients becomes inconsistent. Transport arrangements become harder to coordinate, especially when timing is critical. Over time, these disruptions translate into fluctuating orders, unpredictable sales, and reduced business stability.
Each unintended network switch brings additional costs, but more importantly, it introduces uncertainty into a business that depends on reliability.
Similar dynamics play out across East Africa. For cross-border traders in Busia, transport operators in Namanga, or small businesses operating along regional corridors, connectivity is not optional it is a lifeline. It enables mobile payments, access to market information, coordination of medical teams. When networks fail or become expensive, productivity is directly affected.
From 9 to 12 March 2026, telecom regulators and experts convened in Accra, Ghana, under the iPRIS peer-to-peer programme, building on earlier exchanges held in Sweden in November 2025. The convening brought together national regulatory authorities from across Africa alongside regional bodies and international partners.
A key takeaway was clear: while mobile network coverage has expanded significantly across the continent, affordability and reliability particularly in border regions remain uneven. Encouragingly, practical solutions are emerging.
In Ghana, telecom regulators from the National Communication Authority-Ghana translated this challenge into a consumer awareness pilot in Aflao, helping residents understand how to configure their phones to avoid unintended cross-border roaming.
At a broader level, regional cooperation is beginning to reshape the landscape. In Southern Africa, the One Network Area (ONA) framework is demonstrating what is possible when regulators align. Countries including Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Malawi have begun harmonising roaming tariffs, with reductions ranging from 10% to over 90% across voice, data, and SMS services. Early evidence suggests that lower prices can drive higher usage, offsetting potential revenue losses.
Closer to home, the East African Community’s ONA initiative has also made progress, significantly reducing roaming costs by treating cross-border communication within partner states almost as local calls. For businesses operating across Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and beyond, this has begun to ease the cost of staying connected.
What is needed now is a more intentional shift: from isolated reforms to fully integrated regional connectivity frameworks. First, regulators must accelerate harmonisation across regional blocs to ensure consistency in pricing, service quality, and consumer protection. Fragmentation undermines progress.
Second, policy must reflect the lived realities of border communities. Connectivity is experienced differently across gender, age, and income levels. For informal traders and small enterprises, even small cost fluctuations can have significant consequences.
Third, connectivity must be recognised as economic infrastructure. Cross-border trade, digital finance, and regional integration all depend on reliable communication. Addressing roaming challenges is therefore central to unlocking intra-African trade.
Finally, multi-stakeholder collaboration will be key. Regulators, telecom operators, regional organisations, and development partners must align to scale solutions.
Because connectivity is not only about communication it is also about safety, dignity, and participation.The ability to reach someone whether for business, emergency support, or simple reassurance should never depend on whether your phone has crossed into another network.
Watch more insights from Prof. Caroline alongside Norah Sitati from EACO below
The iPRIS programme enters its second year with the launch of the eighth cohort, bringing together regulators from Liberia, Namibia, Mauritius, Sierra Leone, Zimbabwe, and Tanzania. From 13th April 2026 to 29th April 2026, the regulators will spend three weeks in Stockholm, Sweden, to collaborate, implement their change initiatives, refine national reform plans, and exchange lessons to strengthen Africa’s digital future. They will also be joined by other telecom experts from regional regulatory organisations (RROs): the East African Communications Organisation (EACO), the Communications Regulators’ Association of Southern Africa (CRASA), and the West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly (WATRA), who will share lessons from regional cooperation frameworks.
The digital divide in Sub-Saharan Africa
Over the past decade, Sub‑Saharan Africa has shown remarkable growth in digital access. Internet use has continued to rise, with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) estimating that by 2025 around 36% of the region’s population was online. Mobile broadband has been the main driver of this progress, and the GSMA reports that more than 400 million people in Africa now use mobile internet, a figure expected to grow as 4G and 5G networks expand.
However, the digital divide still needs to be bridged; millions remain offline, particularly in rural areas where affordability and digital skills remain barriers. This gap is not just about connectivity; it is about access to education, healthcare, financial services, and opportunities that depend on being digitally included.
iPRIS aims to advance telecom regulation in Sub-Saharan Africa to improve the aforementioned sectors. By equipping regulators with the tools to design inclusive policies, manage spectrum effectively, and promote affordable access, iPRIS helps ensure that connectivity gains translate into real opportunities for citizens. Progress is being made, but reaching the goal of universal access will require sustained collaboration, and iPRIS is part of that journey.
Expanding the network: A growing community of regulators
Since its inception in November 2023, the iPRIS programme has evolved into a dynamic platform for peer learning and regional cooperation. Initially a pilot initiative and a successor of the ITP program, it has now supported over 120 telecom regulators across 33 African countries, advancing inclusive, evidence-based approaches to ICT policy and regulation.
iPRIS has convened cohorts in Europe and Africa, each contributing to a broader knowledge ecosystem. Regulators have shared best practices, piloted reforms, and built sustainable partnerships, accelerating the continent’s digital transformation. With the Lusophone cycle in the planning phase this year, the iPRIS network will continue to connect major NRAs across Sub-Saharan Africa to achieve their regulatory objectives, both nationally and regionally.
With the eighth cohort, iPRIS further expands its footprint, adding new experiences and perspectives from participants. This collaborative model has engaged over 200 telecom experts, strengthening institutional capacity, improving policy coherence, and bridging regional divides in digital governance. By 2028, the programme aims to have trained over 300 regulators from 43 National Regulatory Authorities, embedding reforms that make Africa’s digital future more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable.
Progress across nations: Impact stories
The eighth iPRIS cohort is not starting from scratch; each participating regulator arrives with a track record of reforms already reshaping their national digital landscapes. From rural connectivity projects to regional roaming agreements, from cybersecurity enforcement to inclusive ICT training, these initiatives show how regulation is driving real progress for citizens and businesses. Together, they illustrate the diverse ways African regulators are bridging the digital divide and building a more resilient digital environment.
Liberia:
Liberia’s digital journey is gathering pace, and the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) has been at the centre of it. Over the past year, the regulator has pushed forward ambitious plans to modernise the country’s connectivity landscape. At the Liberia Infrastructure Conference, LTA showcased opportunities in 5G networks, fibre‑to‑the‑home rollout, and the Amílcar Cabral undersea cable, signalling a clear intent to attract private investment and accelerate digital transformation. These projects are not just about technology; they are about positioning Liberia as a competitive hub in West Africa’s digital economy.
On the ground, the impact is visible. In Vahun, Lofa County, a new communications tower has brought mobile coverage to thousands who previously struggled to connect. For schools, satellite internet kits are being deployed to support digital learning, opening doors for children in rural areas to access the same resources as their peers in Monrovia. LTA has also convened forums to ensure that persons with disabilities are not left behind, engaging operators and community leaders to improve accessibility and accountability.
At the same time, Liberia is strengthening its digital backbone. By participating in the National Peering Forum, LTA has advanced the country’s Internet Exchange Point, reducing costs and improving speeds for everyday users. Internationally, the regulator has been active at events like the TikTok Safer Internet Summit in Nairobi and Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, bringing home insights on cybersecurity, consumer protection, and innovation.
Namibia:
Namibia’s regulator, CRAN, has been steadily working to bring connectivity to communities that have long been underserved. In recent months, new telecommunications towers have gone up in villages like Epinga and Ehomba, funded through the Universal Service Fund. For residents, this has meant the arrival of reliable voice and data services for the first time, opening doors to better schooling, healthcare access, and local business opportunities.
At the same time, CRAN is preparing the country for the next generation of networks. Plans are underway to transition from older 2G and 3G systems to more efficient 4G and 5G technologies. This shift is not just about faster speeds, it’s about ensuring that Namibia’s infrastructure can support modern digital services and give citizens the tools to participate fully in the digital economy.
The regulator has also invested in community empowerment. At the Khomasdal Rossing and Otjomuise libraries, CRAN donated computers and provided free internet access, enabling thousands of people to study, conduct research, and apply for jobs online. For many students and job seekers, these libraries have become gateways to opportunity, with high‑speed internet transforming how they learn and connect with employers.
CRAN has also been strengthening Namibia’s resilience in the digital space. Through its national Computer Security Incident Response Team (NAM‑CSIRT), the regulator hosted training on DNS resilience — essentially teaching stakeholders how to protect the “address book” of the internet from cyberattacks and disruptions. This kind of capacity building ensures that as Namibia expands its networks, it also safeguards them against threats.
Mauritius:
Mauritius has often been perceived as a digital leader in the Indian Ocean, and the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (ICTA) has been steering this transformation with a mix of innovation and regulation. In recent months, ICTA authorised the use of non‑geostationary satellite orbit (NGSO) broadband services, requiring providers to operate through locally licensed ISPs (Internet Service Providers). This decision reflects a careful balance: opening the door to new technologies while ensuring orderly market entry and benefits for local players. It is a move that expands connectivity options, particularly for remote communities, while maintaining a strong regulatory framework.
ICTA has also opened the 700 MHz frequency band for testing and operation of IMT networks, including 5G. This step signals the country’s readiness to embrace next‑generation connectivity and ensure spectrum is used efficiently. For citizens, it means faster, more reliable services and the potential for new digital applications that can drive economic growth.
The regulator’s decisions are felt directly in everyday life. In the Agalega Islands, a remote dependency of Mauritius, ICTA has supported projects under the Universal Service Fund to enhance internet connectivity. For residents there, improved access means better communication with the mainland, opportunities for online learning, and access to essential services that were previously out of reach. Another regulatory change in Mauritius is the revocation of SIM registration rules that required identity documentation. This has reshaped how mobile users interact with their services, making access simpler and more flexible.
Sierra Leone:
Sierra Leone’s regulator, NatCA, has been weaving regional cooperation and consumer protection into its digital transformation story. One of the most significant developments has been the cross‑border agreement with Guinea to introduce free mobile roaming. For traders, students, and families living near the border, this has meant using their home SIM cards without extra charges, reducing costs and making communication seamless across two countries.
NatCA has also been working to strengthen connectivity between Sierra Leone and Guinea through a memorandum of understanding on internet interconnection. By linking networks across borders, the regulator is ensuring faster, more reliable services and laying the groundwork for a more connected West Africa.
Additionally, NatCA has also been active in consumer education. Public awareness campaigns have reached citizens through radio, television, newspapers, and social media, focusing on phishing prevention, safe mobile money practices, and data privacy. These efforts are particularly targeted at youth and rural communities, helping them build resilience against cyber threats and strengthening trust in digital services.
The regulator’s presence is felt beyond technical reforms. During Ramadan and Lent, NatCA donated food to religious institutions in Freetown and surrounding communities, demonstrating that its role extends to social support and community engagement. At the same time, Sierra Leone’s voice has been heard regionally, with NatCA’s Director‑General, Mr Amara Brewah, participating in the Smart Africa Council of Regulators, reinforcing the country’s place in continental ICT dialogue.
Zimbabwe:
Zimbabwe’s regulator, POTRAZ, has been shaping the country’s digital landscape by placing cybersecurity and accountability at the centre of its agenda. In recent months, it has called out organisations that continue to process personal data without the required licences under the Cyber and Data Protection Act. By insisting on compliance, POTRAZ is reinforcing trust in the digital ecosystem and ensuring that citizens’ information is handled in a lawful manner. This push for accountability is complemented by awareness‑raising initiatives, such as the Annual Data Privacy Symposium, which brings together stakeholders to discuss privacy as the foundation for innovation and trust in a digital economy.
At the same time, Zimbabwe has been investing in people and communities. Through its ICT Scholarship programme, students across the country are gaining opportunities to advance their education in technology and build the skills needed for the future workforce. In rural areas, more than 200 community information centres have been established, bringing internet access and government services closer to citizens, including the elderly and underserved populations. For many, these centres have become vital spaces for learning, communication, and participation in the digital economy.
POTRAZ has also positioned Zimbabwe within global and regional conversations. By participating in forums such as WSIS+20 and AI for Good, the regulator has engaged with international peers on issues ranging from ethical AI to inclusive infrastructure. Hosting regional workshops on emergency telecommunications and early warning systems further demonstrates Zimbabwe’s role in building resilience across Southern Africa.
Tanzania:
TCRA, has been driving digital inclusion with a strong focus on safety, accessibility, and empowerment. One of its most visible initiatives has been the launch of a nationwide short-code service, 15040, that allows citizens to report suspicious messages and verify unknown phone numbers. For millions of mobile money users, this simple tool has become a shield against fraud, giving them confidence to engage in digital services without fear of being exploited.
TCRA has also taken a creative approach to tackling misinformation. Through the “FUTA DELETE KABISA” campaign, launched during the International Week of the Deaf, citizens were educated on how to identify and avoid false information online. Importantly, the campaign included sign language interpretation, ensuring that members of the deaf community could fully participate. This emphasis on inclusivity shows how regulation can empower even the most marginalised groups to engage safely in the digital space.
The regulator’s commitment to empowerment extends to young women. In collaboration with the Ministry of Communications and IT, UCSAF, and the ICT Commission, TCRA organised practical ICT training for girls with special needs from secondary schools in Dodoma. These sessions equipped them with STEM and digital skills, inspiring them to pursue careers in technology and equipping them to design solutions to social challenges in their communities.
Regionally, Tanzania has positioned itself as a leader by hosting the ITU Subregional Workshop in Dar es Salaam, bringing together experts from across Africa to discuss universal and meaningful connectivity. TCRA has also been reviewing the postal sector’s legal framework to align with sustainability goals and support e‑commerce, while backing local innovators in global competitions like the G20 Digital Innovation Challenge.
Highlights: A three‑week collaboration
The eighth iPRIS cohort will take part in an intensive three‑week peer-learning in Stockholm, designed to blend expert‑led sessions, collaborative project work, and immersive field visits. The schedule connects theory with practice, ensuring that regulators refine their change initiatives by learning from European peers and from one another.
The discussions will revolve around these components:
Throughout the period, each NRA will continue to improve its Change Initiative, a national reform plan aimed at strengthening institutional performance and making the regulatory environment sustainable and inclusive.
Read about the iPRIS seventh cohort sessions in Sweden here
This European phase marks only the beginning of the journey. The regulators will reconvene later this year at the Africa round, where they will share lessons learned, assess progress on their Change Initiatives, and continue building momentum for inclusive digital transformation. By returning to the continent, the programme ensures that the knowledge gained in Stockholm is translated into action at home, reinforcing the commitment to bridge the digital divide and advance Africa’s digital future together.
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).
From 9 to 12 March 2026, telecom experts reconvened in Accra, Ghana, for their iPRIS round after initially meeting in Sweden. The four-day session brought together national regulatory authorities (NRAs) from the National Communications Authority of Ghana (NCA Ghana), Communications Authority of Kenya (CA Kenya), Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA Botswana), Lesotho Communications Authority (LCA Lesotho), and Public Utilities Regulatory Authority of The Gambia (PURA Gambia), with Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA Malawi) joining online to advance Change Initiatives (CIs) from policy concepts to practical regulatory action.
They were joined by implementing partners, SPIDER and the Swedish Post and Telecom Authority (PTS), representatives of the European Union and regional regulatory organisations, including Communications Regulators' Association of Southern Africa (CRASA), East African Communications Organisation (EACO) and West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly (WATRA).
Across Africa, telecom experts are working to bridge the digital divide and support the development of inclusive digital economies. Globally, an estimated 6 billion people – about three-quarters of the world's population – are using the Internet in 2025, up from a revised estimate of 5.8 billion in 2024. However, 2.2 billion people remain offline, down from a revised estimate of 2.3 billion in 2024 (ITU, 2025). Although mobile networks now cover about 95% of Africa’s population, only around 40% actively use mobile internet. This widening usage gap, driven by high device costs, limited digital literacy and access barriers, remains one of the continent’s greatest connectivity challenges (GSMA, 2025). These findings highlight the critical role of telecom regulators in expanding digital access, particularly for underserved communities.
By strengthening regulatory frameworks in areas such as affordability, spectrum management, consumer protection, and digital inclusion, these efforts aim to improve access to affordable connectivity, digital services and economic opportunities for citizens across participating countries. The Ghana round, therefore, focused on reviewing progress on Change Initiatives while strengthening regional regulatory collaboration.
As part of the iPRIS structured peer-learning cycle, the Ghana round marked the transition from planning to implementation. Following the comprehensive knowledge-exchange sessions in Sweden in November 2025, telecom experts reconvened to assess progress on their CIs, share policy experiences, and refine implementation strategies. The daily sessions focused on three key areas: reviewing progress on CIs; strengthening regulatory capacity through expert-led sessions on strategic foresight, digital inclusion and project management; enhancing regional cooperation through peer-learning sessions; and Way forward presentations concerning CIs.
The day began with opening remarks from Rev. Ing. Edmund Fianko, Director General of the National Communications Authority (NCA), and Gisela Spreitzhofer, the EU delegation to Ghana. Their speeches focused on the benefits of connectivity, especially for development sectors, the digital transformation journey in Africa, and the change initiatives of NRAs, setting a collaborative tone for the week’s work. As Rev. Ing. Edmund Fianko emphasised:
From mid-morning onward, the NRAs presented progress on their CIs, marking the first day of immense collaboration and peer-learning. These initiatives aimed to strengthen digital systems, expand digital access, improve service quality and prepare regulators for emerging technologies. Key topics covered include spectrum policy development, broadband access and community connectivity, Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), AI governance readiness, satellite regulation, and consumer protection.
This session demonstrated how regulators are moving beyond policy discussions to implement practical solutions that not only improve digital technologies but also ensure citizens benefit from inclusive connectivity. Day one provided a platform for peer learning as regulators shared experiences, challenges and solutions across countries. Through these, telecom experts not only made significant progress in the digital sector but also enhanced their institutional capacity to manage evolving digital markets effectively.
On day 2, the Ghana round went beyond CIs and focused on strengthening the regulators strategic capacity and technical expertise through expert-led presentations and discussions. The participants were first introduced to the strategic foresight methodology by Hans Hedin (PTS). A tool that aims to anticipate trends and emerging technologies and to strategically plan for forward-looking regulations. Hans Hedin noted:
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Given that digital inclusivity is central to the iPRIS project, a session on inclusivity by Dr Caroline Wamala Larrson and Dr Cheikh Sadibou Sakho (SPIDER) was much needed. Emphasising the significance of community engagement to regulation, Dr Cheikh noted:
The presentation highlighted the need for regulators to view regulation as a social construct that affects real people with needs, shaped by social power dynamics. Through approaches such as Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and gender-responsive strategies, participants were exposed to practical strategies to expand connectivity with underserved populations and promote equitable access across communities. As Dr Caroline Wamala Larrson noted:
Petra Rindby (SPIDER) led a session on Project Management and Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL). This served as a guide for NRAs on how to tackle their projects to ensure alignment with their change initiatives. She further emphasised the importance of commitment and belief in the process:
Throughout the presentations, participants engaged in discussions and projects that implemented these strategies, enhancing their problem-solving and strategic thinking skills.
The highlight of the day was the presentation titled “Smart Borders, Fair Billings” by NCA Ghana alumnus from the fourth iPRIS cohort. This session highlighted that border communities often experience the practical consequences of regulatory gaps, and addressing roaming challenges requires technical solutions and regulatory cooperation.
Their presentation offered practical insights into roaming regulations and the challenges faced during implementation, particularly at the Ghana-Togo border. Participants explored real-world challenges affecting border communities, where mobile users often face unexpected charges, signal spillover, and inconsistent roaming services due to gaps in regulatory coordination.
Throughout the evening, participants shared experiences, challenges, and technical solutions from their own countries. Some of the challenges raised affecting border communities include automatic roaming in border towns, unexpected consumer charges, cross-border spillover and the need for effective regulatory coordination between neighbouring countries. It was a session that reflected the true knowledge-sharing aspect of iPRIS as the seventh cohort learned from practical examples of their African peers.
iPRIS provides a platform for telecom experts to collaborate beyond borders. Through the Ghana round, NRAs interacted with RROs and European experts to address shared challenges in Africa’s telecom ecosystem.
Mr Kristof Itana (CRASA), Ms Anuoluwapo Atte (WATRA), and Mr Andrew Changa (EACO) led participants through individual CIs discussions, sharing insights on regional projects, challenges, and solutions that support national telecom advancements.
These exchanges not only provided a learning ground for NRAs but also highlighted iPRIS efforts in providing regional expertise to national regulators and strengthening regulatory capacity.
Through regional cooperation, iPRIS ensures that regulatory initiatives are practical and cater to the needs of citizens across countries.
The last day of the Ghana round focused on translating lessons into actionable projects. Through this session, telecom experts went beyond planning and applied the knowledge gained to strategies that strengthen national telecom ecosystems and emphasise regional learning. The Way forward session offered a platform for each NRA to present on the next steps for their CIs, informed by insights from the previous day's guidance and shared learning. In detail, each NRA presented the scopes, methodologies, challenges, expected outcomes, and outputs of the implementation process for the CIs. From the presentations, the goal was clear: to enable inclusive digital connectivity and markets, and protect consumers across participating countries.
The Ghana round reinforced the iPRIS core mission, which aims to boost the Capacities of African telecom regulators through peer-to-peer learning, thereby helping NRAs strengthen and build inclusive digital systems. By bringing together national regulators and regional organisations, the Ghana round highlighted how regional collaboration enables harmonised digital development, helping countries align with regulatory standards and effective practices. As Keamogetse Mmokele from Botswana reflected on the value of the programme:
The Ghana round marks one of the many phases in the iPRIS project. As iPRIS continues to collaborate with NRAs in the next phases of their CIs, equipping regulators with knowledge and capacity to address evolving digital challenges and drive sustainable, inclusive digital transformation across Africa remains central to the programme.
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).
Cheikh Sadibou Sakho examines why inclusion and social equity are essential to closing Africa’s digital divide
Keypoints:
‘WHAT is done for us without us is done against us.’ This principle, frequently invoked in development discourse, resonates deeply when examining Africa’s digital trajectory. It highlights a reality that remains insufficiently acknowledged: technological transformation cannot generate sustainable social progress if it is disconnected from the lived experiences of the societies it intends to serve.
Across the continent, digitalisation is often portrayed as an inevitable pathway to economic advancement and institutional modernisation. Yet progress that excludes populations in all their diversity—particularly disadvantaged and vulnerable groups—risks reinforcing structural inequalities rather than alleviating them. Technology, when detached from social contexts, may reproduce marginalisation instead of fostering resilience.
Africa’s digital future therefore hinges not only on innovation, but on inclusion.
Discussions of digital transformation in Africa continue to prioritise infrastructure indicators: broadband expansion, mobile network coverage, platform proliferation and technological innovation. These developments are significant and reflect genuine momentum towards modernisation.
However, such metrics obscure a more fundamental question: who benefits from digital technology, in what ways, and under which conditions?
The central challenge is not simply connectivity but meaningful connectivity — the capacity for individuals and communities to use digital tools in ways that enhance economic opportunity, strengthen participation and improve everyday life. Access without affordability, skills or relevance does not translate into empowerment.
The digital divide must therefore be understood as a multidimensional social issue rather than a purely technical gap.
My reflections draw partly from observations in Senegal, whose experience offers an illuminating perspective on broader African trends. In recent years, Senegal has pursued an ambitious digital agenda through initiatives such as the New Deal Technologique and the Sénégal Numérique 2025 strategy, accompanied by investments in broadband infrastructure and digital public services.
These initiatives demonstrate a clear political ambition to position digital technology as a driver of development and institutional reform. Yet beneath this progress, persistent divides remain.
National statistics reveal stark disparities between urban and rural populations. Nearly 16 percent of rural residents have internet access compared with nearly 60 percent in Dakar. Geography continues to shape digital opportunity.
Gender inequalities further complicate access. Women in rural areas are around 32 percent less likely to use mobile internet than men. Even in urban settings, disparities remain visible, illustrating how digital exclusion reflects broader socio-economic realities rather than simple technological delay.
Coverage alone does not ensure social appropriation. Digital participation depends on education, affordability, cultural relevance and confidence in technology.
Patterns of digital usage in Senegal illustrate another dimension of inequality: cyclical connectivity shaped by social and economic rhythms. Telecommunications consumption rises dramatically during major religious gatherings, particularly the Grand Magal pilgrimage in Touba.
During this period, Touba temporarily becomes one of the most connected locations in the country. Digital networks facilitate communication, mobility coordination, commerce and religious organisation on a massive scale.
Yet once the event concludes, connectivity patterns revert to uneven norms. This demonstrates a critical paradox of Africa’s digital transition: moments of intense connectivity coexist with persistent structural vulnerability.
Infrastructure availability alone does not guarantee sustained or meaningful participation.
Africa’s digital divide should therefore be interpreted not as an isolated technological deficit but as a contemporary expression of historical inequalities.
Across the continent, nearly one billion people live in areas covered by mobile broadband yet remain offline. Women continue to face disproportionate barriers despite digital tools offering significant opportunities for entrepreneurship and livelihood stability, particularly within informal economies that employ large segments of the population.
These conditions reflect economic, cultural, educational and symbolic constraints. They reveal what may be described as a political economy of access — one shaped by structural inequalities rather than individual reluctance.
In this context, diversity, equity and inclusion must shift from peripheral considerations to core strategic pillars of digital development policies in Africa.
Digital technology has evolved into a space where economic, social and political opportunities are produced and redistributed. Decisions regarding connectivity increasingly influence employment prospects, education systems, governance processes and democratic participation.
Ignoring social dynamics risks reproducing exclusion at scale. Digital inclusion must therefore go beyond connecting territories; it must enable stable and meaningful participation in social life.
Encouragingly, Senegalese policy discourse is gradually evolving. Institutional priorities are beginning to move beyond infrastructure deployment towards digital skills, accessibility and inequality reduction. This shift reflects growing recognition that digital transformation is fundamentally political.
The decisive question now concerns how African policymakers conceptualise digital technology.
If digital ecosystems are viewed exclusively as markets, exclusionary dynamics are likely to persist. If they are understood as socio-technical systems, regulation and public investment can instead function as instruments of social justice.
Telecommunications regulation must therefore extend beyond technical optimisation and market efficiency to incorporate social asymmetries, vulnerabilities and redistributive impacts.
Through the iPRIS programme, I have worked with regulators from more than a dozen African countries integrating societal considerations into regulatory initiatives addressing competition policy, spectrum management, user protection, broadband deployment and secure communications.
A notable cognitive shift is emerging. Regulators who previously focused primarily on market indicators are increasingly asking broader questions about social impact and long-term societal outcomes.
Technologies disconnected from social realities often encounter resistance and unintended consequences. Inclusive systems, by contrast, tend to be more resilient and sustainable.
Advancing digital inclusion requires coordinated action across multiple fronts: adaptive regulatory frameworks, competitive yet equitable markets, responsible data governance and differentiated connectivity strategies tailored to diverse populations.
More fundamentally, digital space must be recognised as a common good whose governance cannot be left solely to market forces.
The objective should not merely be reducing the digital divide but overcoming it. Universal connectivity is fundamentally an issue of social equity, linking infrastructure with affordability, digital literacy, locally relevant content and inclusive governance.
Digital technology has become a central arena of contemporary social justice.
This inclusive vision aligns with the African Union’s Digital Transformation Strategy 2020–2030, which calls for harmonised regulatory frameworks, institutional strengthening and inclusive connectivity across the continent.
Encouragingly, dialogue with regulators across Africa suggests growing awareness of the social dimensions of digital transformation. Policymakers are increasingly engaging with questions of inequality, diversity and societal impact.
Such developments indicate an important realisation: meaningful and universal connectivity is not primarily a technological challenge but a social one.
Africa’s digital future will depend less on the speed of innovation than on the depth of inclusion. Only by embedding equity at the centre of digital governance can technological progress translate into shared prosperity rather than fragmented advancement.
The digital divide will not be bridged through infrastructure alone. It will be overcome when digital transformation is designed with people — in all their diversity — at its core.
Professor Sadibou Sakho is an Anthropologist and Sociologist, Gaston Berger University of Saint-Louis (Senegal)
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).
From 9 to 12 March 2026, the National Communications Authority (NCA) of Ghana will host the second round of peer-to-peer learning of the seventh cohort of the ICT Policy and Regulation – Institutional Strengthening (iPRIS) project in Accra.
iPRIS has engaged approximately 157 participants from 33 countries to date, highlighting the vast network of telecom regulators who share knowledge to advance their telecom industries. Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) faces major challenges in digital development, including underdeveloped digital infrastructure, limited access to affordable connectivity, a digital gender gap, insufficient skills for digitally enabled industries and a weak regulatory and policy environment. According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), effective regulation can reduce connectivity costs by up to 30% while attracting greater investment in digital infrastructure, underscoring the critical role of institutions such as iPRIS in expanding affordable access and bridging the digital divide.
This meeting will bring together African National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs) from the National Communications Authority of Ghana (NCA Ghana), Lesotho Communications Authority (LCA Lesotho), Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA Botswana), Public Utilities Regulatory Authority of The Gambia (PURA Gambia), Communications Authority of Kenya (CA Kenya), and Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA Malawi)
They will also be joined by Regional Regulatory Organisations (RROs), including the West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly (WATRA), the Communications Regulators’ Association of Southern Africa (CRASA), and the East African Communications Organisation (EACO). Implementing partners, including the Swedish Post and Telecom Authority (PTS) and the Swedish Program for ICT in Developing Regions (SPIDER), will also participate.
The convening will mark the second stage of the cohort’s journey in the iPRIS cycle, following its initial phase in Stockholm in 2025. It will build on the cohort’s initial learning round, shifting from European learning exposure to Africa-based implementation. By prioritising practical reforms, the meeting will reinforce ICT regulation as a driver of digital transformation, strengthen regional cooperation among regulators, and deepen institutional capacity to ensure reliable and inclusive digital economies across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Read more about the 7th Cohort’s activities in Stockholm 2025 here.
Strategic objectives of this second meeting in Accra:
An interesting session to look out for is the ‘Smart Borders, Fair Billings: Policy Lessons from Ghana’s Border Towns’ discussion that will be presented by NCA Ghana. This session will deliver practical lessons from NCA Ghana's experience driving roaming initiatives in its border towns. On the last day of discussions on Thursday, 12th March, the ‘Way Forward’ sessions will feature presentations from all the NRAs on their planning and execution strategies concerning their tailored Change Initiatives. It is a session open to all iPRIS alumni and current participants, where technical expertise and knowledge are shared.
The 7th cohort follow-up phase in Ghana will serve as a pivotal step in the seventh cohort’s journey, reinforcing iPRIS’s commitment to regulator-led reforms that respond to Africa’s digital realities. By combining peer learning with practical implementation, the programme will ensure that participating regulators return home equipped with actionable strategies to expand affordable connectivity, strengthen consumer protection, and prepare for emerging technologies. Sustained collaboration beyond this meeting will be essential to build resilient institutions, harmonised regional markets, and inclusive digital economies that empower societies across Sub-Saharan Africa. As regulators advance their Change Initiatives and strengthen regional cooperation, iPRIS will remain committed to its support, helping authorities adapt to emerging technologies and address cross‑border challenges with coordinated and forward‑looking solutions
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).
9–12 February 2026 | Cotonou, Benin
From 9 to 12 February 2026, the Electronic Communications and Postal Regulatory Authority of Benin (ARCEP Benin) hosted the Africa session of the second iPRIS Francophone cohort in Cotonou. This cohort is the second French group and sixth group overall in the iPRIS project. Four days of intensive exchanges brought together telecom regulators (NRAs) from Benin, Burundi, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and Guinea, alongside implementing partners SPIDER and ILR, regional telecom regulators — WATRA (West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly), ARTAC (Assembly of Telecoms Regulators of Central Africa) and EACO (East African Communications Organisation) — as well as the Francophone network, ARCEP France.
The Benin round took place against a backdrop of persistent connectivity challenges and transformative potential across Africa’s telecom landscape, underscoring the importance of structured regulatory peer-to-peer engagement. Despite mobile broadband networks covering a large majority of the population, only about 22–40 % of Africans are using mobile internet, leaving a substantial usage gap even where coverage exists, and fixed broadband remains scarce compared with global averages (GSMA, 2025). Meanwhile, the mobile sector contributed around $220 billion to Africa’s GDP in 2024 (about 7.7 % of total output), with usage expected to increase further, highlighting connectivity’s economic value (GSMA, 2025). At the same time, advanced technologies such as 4G and 5G are expanding slowly, with 5G still a small share of total connections in Sub-Saharan Africa, reinforcing the need for forward-looking regulatory frameworks that can unlock investment, affordability, and digital inclusion. By bringing regulators together to test, refine and benchmark their Change Initiatives with peers and regional bodies, the Cotonou meeting directly addresses policy and implementation gaps that constrain meaningful connectivity and inclusive digital market development.
As part of iPRIS's structured peer-to-peer learning cycle, this session marked a turning point for the second Francophone cohort: the shift from learning to action. Following comprehensive training in Luxembourg in September 2025, these Francophone African telecom regulators reconvened in Benin to test their Change Initiatives (CIs) against on-the-ground realities, measure the progress achieved and consolidate the reforms underway.
The session was officially opened with addresses by H.E. Stéphane Mund, Ambassador of the European Union to Benin, the representative of the Ambassador of Luxembourg to Benin, and Dr Hervé C. Guèdègbé, Executive Secretary of ARCEP Benin. This high-level institutional framework set the tone for the week's ambition from the outset: positioning African regulators as drivers of the continent's digital transformation.
The morning of this first day was dedicated to presentations on the progress of the Change Initiatives led by each NRA. From competition regulation and spectrum management to 5G deployment, fibre optic infrastructure regulation and spectral interference detection, each regulator demonstrated measurable progress since the comprehensive training session in Europe. A highlight of the day was the spotlight on ARCEP Benin's achievements, including the announcement of the decision regulating tariffs in the electronic communications and digital sector, as well as the forthcoming framework for free WiFi zones. These measures illustrated the Beninese regulator's commitment to a more transparent, equitable and accessible market.
The day concluded with a visit to the ARCEP Benin technical centre in Hêvié, Calavi, where participants met with the executive secretariat of ARCEP to discuss the country's evolving approach to public internet access, including recent regulatory guidelines on WiFi zone operations. The regulatory framework underscores the importance of prior authorisation, quality of service, data protection and fair competition, commitments that illustrate how regulation can protect users while enabling affordable and equitable digital access.
The second day was entirely devoted to dedicated Change Initiative meetings. Each national regulator worked in dedicated sessions with experts from WATRA, ARTAC, SPIDER, ILR and EACO to refine implementation strategies, identify risks and strengthen action plans. This discussion group format reflects the iPRIS methodology: iterative, structured support grounded in accountability. The exchanges enabled in-depth exploration of the challenges specific to each national context — budget constraints, institutional approval timelines, inter-agency coordination and access — while identifying cross-cutting solutions, good practices and shared visions among peers.
The day continued into the evening at the Embassy of Luxembourg in Benin, where participants were received at a special invitation. This institutional moment reaffirmed the support of European and African experts for strengthening the capacities of NRAs and promoting inclusive digital ecosystems.
The third day offered African regulators an immersion in Benin's financial and digital innovation ecosystem, combined with capacity-building sessions on project management and institutional diversity.
The morning took place at the Embassy of Luxembourg, with presentations by two startups awarded through the LuxAid Challenge Fund: Global Optim Benin (GOBIWORLD), whose integrated mobile application digitalises and optimises the activities of Mobile Money agents to strengthen financial inclusion, and Media Soft Bénin, which facilitates the digitalisation of microfinance institution services for broader access to financial services, particularly for vulnerable populations.
Ms Livia Sossou, Senior Technical Adviser for the BeDigital programme, and Mr Gilles Da Costa, Senior Technical Adviser for the Inclusive and Innovative Finance programme, presented Benin's progress in financial inclusion. The financial inclusion rate, estimated at 87% in 2025, has now reached 90% within the WAEMU zone, driven by the adoption of the new banking law in 2024, which extends the scope of application to payment institutions, electronic money institutions and FinTechs.
The visit to the MTN Innovation Lab completed this immersion with a presentation of Cashless, a SaaS platform dedicated to managing employee benefits and professional expenses. These initiatives illustrate the dynamism of Benin's digital ecosystem and the synergies between regulation and innovation.
The afternoon opened with a session led by Cheikh Sadibou Sakho (SPIDER / Gaston Berger University) on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in regulatory environments. The session emphasised that inclusion is not limited to infrastructure but also depends on social roles and gender, reinforcing the idea that public legitimacy and trust rest on inclusive leadership.
Read more about Prof. Sadibou’s insights on digital inclusion here
Malena Liedholm-Ndounou (SPIDER) led a session on project management and Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL), equipping regulators with practical tools to plan, monitor and evaluate the impact of their Change Initiatives. The session highlighted that the sustainability of reforms depends as much on project discipline as on technical expertise.
The session on tariff regulation, led by Antoine Samba (ARCEP France/FRATEL) and Tantely Jeans (ILR), also enabled participants to explore European regulatory frameworks on pricing and consumer protection in greater depth, a topic at the heart of several Change Initiatives in this second Francophone cohort.
The fourth and final day focused on consolidating the Change Initiatives and defining the way forward. Each NRA in the cohort presented their roadmap for the coming months, specifying key milestones, expected deliverables and monitoring mechanisms. The presentations demonstrated how far the CIs had progressed, moving from strategic design in Luxembourg last September to detailed action plans anchored in each country's institutional realities.
The session closed on a convivial note with a cultural excursion to Ouidah, a historic city in Benin. This shared moment strengthened bonds among participants, illustrating the spirit of collaboration and solidarity that characterises the iPRIS project.
The follow-up session of the second Francophone cohort in Cotonou confirms the core mission of iPRIS: to support telecom regulators in implementing structural reforms, foster peer-to-peer learning and contribute to building more inclusive, innovative and sustainable digital environments across Africa. In four days, the second Francophone cohort demonstrated that structured peer-to-peer exchange accelerates the regulatory capacity of African institutions, from progress presentations to CI clinics, from fintech immersion to reflection on inclusive leadership.
Since its launch in 2023, iPRIS has mobilised more than 200 telecom experts across 33 countries, reflecting a growing continental network of regulators who draw on shared expertise and coordinated regulatory action to shape resilient, forward-looking digital markets. The Cotonou session is not the end of the journey, but a milestone in iPRIS's ongoing commitment to African regulators — a commitment that transforms learning into reform and reform into lasting impact.
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).
From 9 to 12 February 2026, the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Communications and Post of Benin (ARCEP Benin) will host the Africa round of the second Francophone cohort of the ICT Policy and Regulation – Institutional Strengthening (iPRIS) programme in Cotonou.
The meeting brings together African National Telecom Regulators, Regional Regulatory Organisations, alongside international collaborators to strengthen institutional capacity and advance inclusive digital transformation across Francophone Africa. Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) faces major challenges in digital development, including underdeveloped digital infrastructure, limited access to affordable connectivity, a digital gender gap, limited skills for digitally enabled industries, and weak regulatory and policy environments. However, over the last few years, the region has made major advances in digital transformation, with hundreds of millions of people gaining access to the internet and productively using a wide variety of digital services, such as mobile payments and e-learning platforms (World Bank, 2024).
The Africa round of iPRIS’s Francophone cohort in Benin builds on knowledge-sharing sessions in Europe and moves toward implementation, tailoring reforms to local contexts and regional priorities.
Among the participating National Regulatory Authorities are the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Communications and Post of Benin (ARCEP Benin), the Regulatory and Control Agency for Telecommunications of Burundi (ARCT Burundi), the Telecommunications Regulatory Agency of Cameroon (ART Cameroon), the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Equatorial Guinea (ORTEL Equatorial Guinea), the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Communications and Post of Gabon (ARCEP Gabon), and the Regulatory Authority for Post and Telecommunications of Guinea (ARPT Guinea).
They will be joined by Regional Regulatory Organisations, including the West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly (WATRA), the East African Communications Organisation (EACO), and the African Telecommunications Regulators Assembly for Central Africa (ARTAC).
The meeting will also include implementing partners such as the Luxembourg Institute of Regulation (ILR) and the Swedish Program for ICT in Developing Regions (SPIDER), with contributions from European collaborators including the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Communications and Post of France (ARCEP France).
This convening marks the second stage of the cohort’s journey in the iPRIS cycle, following its initial phase in Luxembourg in September 2025. The follow‑up phase in Cotonou, Benin, will build on the cohort’s initial learning round in Luxembourg, shifting from exposure to Africa‑based implementation. By prioritizing practical reforms, the meeting reinforces ICT regulation as a driver of digital transformation, strengthens regional cooperation among Francophone regulators, and deepens institutional capacity‑building to ensure reliable and inclusive digital economies across Sub Saharan Africa, enabling regulators to implement lessons to local realities and implement concrete reforms.
Read more about the regulator’s time in Luxembourg here.
iPRIS is an EU‑supported initiative designed to strengthen ICT policy and regulatory frameworks across Sub‑Saharan Africa. Coordinated by SPIDER in partnership with the Swedish Post and Telecom Authority (PTS) and the Institut luxembourgeois de régulation (ILR), the programme is part of the Team Europe Initiative Digital for Development (D4D) and emphasises peer learning, institutional reform, and regulator‑led Change Initiatives that deliver measurable impact. In Francophone Africa, the urgency of coordinated regulatory action is clear: over 60% of Africa’s population still lacks access to the internet, according to the African Telecommunications Union (ATU, 2024). This digital divide shows why the Benin meeting is critical, as regulators work to expand affordable connectivity and strengthen institutional capacity for inclusive digital transformation.
iPRIS helps bridge the digital divide by enhancing inclusive, meaningful digital connectivity. It does so by boosting the capacities of African telecom regulators through peer‑to‑peer learning with African and European counterparts, emphasising institutional reform and practical implementation as the basis for sustainable digital economies. Strengthening digital regulation is directly tied to the Sustainable Development Goals, as inclusive connectivity supports quality education, economic growth, innovation, and stronger partnerships.
Strategic Objectives of the Benin Meeting
Since the project was launched in 2023, iPRIS has engaged 24 National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs) and 4 Regional Regulatory Organisations (RROs), supporting more than 20 measurable Change Initiatives across spectrum reform, cybersecurity frameworks, roaming regulations, and satellite‑to‑device services. These initiatives demonstrate how peer learning translates into concrete reforms that expand affordable connectivity, strengthen consumer protection, and prepare regulators for emerging technologies.
The Africa round in Cotonou, Benin, is not the end of the journey but part of iPRIS’s continued engagement with African regulators. Continuous partnership beyond this meeting will be essential to ensure that the lessons learned translate into long-term reforms, stronger institutions, and more inclusive digital economies across the region. As the cohort advances its Change Initiatives and deepens regional cooperation, iPRIS remains committed to supporting regulators in adapting to emerging technologies and cross‑border challenges.
For updates and highlights on the programme’s progress, visit the iPRIS LikedIn Page.
Watch highlight videos of the iPRIS videos here.
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 wrap-up session of the fourth iPRIS cohort on the 16th of December 2025 marked the end of a one-year institutional-strengthening cycle for the participating National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs). The moment was very special: as the cohort finished its cycle, iPRIS itself celebrated two years of implementation, two years of assisting regulators to go from learning to delivery, and from ambition to institutional change.
The teams of regulators from Kenya, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Liberia, South Sudan, and Ghana were gathered together. It was a wrap-up session and a reflection point. The session revealed the capacity regulators achieved in very complex institutional settings, how they worked around constraints, and the iPRIS methodology's practical value in capacity building, translated into concrete regulatory outcomes. The team had initially met in Namibia in early 2025 to discuss progress on change initiatives (CIs), after their first round in the iPRIS cycle in Sweden in November 2024.
Read about the cohort’s discussions and activities in Namibia here
CIs, the unique activities in the regulator’s scope that each country had decided to work on, were the point of discussion. The focus was on core regulatory functions that are central to resilient digital ecosystems: the management of numbering resources, the governance of spectrum, SIM registration and KYC enforcement, and the institutional processes for consultation and approval.
There was a difference in the country context, but a common pattern emerged. The teams were able to:
In several cases, draft guidelines and frameworks were completed and internally reviewed, with final approvals and publication pending institutional processes beyond the teams’ direct control. Rather than signalling stalled progress, these realities underscored a critical insight of the cohort: sustainable regulatory reform is as much about navigating governance systems as it is about technical design.
Kenya and Zimbabwe anchored their Change Initiatives in the reform of national numbering frameworks to ensure readiness for evolving technologies and services.
Kenya focused on enhancing the telecommunications numbering resource administration and management framework, aiming to improve efficiency, transparency, and long-term sustainability in numbering allocation. The initiative included revising regulatory frameworks, clarifying administrative procedures, and engaging stakeholders to ensure alignment with market needs and institutional approval processes.
Zimbabwe’s Change Initiative is centred on the revision of the national numbering plan to include IoT and machine-to-machine (M2M) numbering. The team conducted a gap analysis and developed draft implementation guidance, informed by consultations with operators and regional peers. The work positioned the regulator to anticipate future services better while highlighting the importance of targeted, technically informed stakeholder engagement.
Namibia’s Change Initiative focused on developing national cybersecurity incident management guidelines. The work addressed the need for clearer roles, coordination mechanisms, and response procedures in the event of cyber incidents. Through internal coordination and structured planning, the team advanced draft guidelines while navigating institutional approval processes, reinforcing the importance of preparedness as digital services expand.
Liberia’s team focused on FM spectrum management, responding to interference challenges, unauthorised broadcasters, and outdated regulatory provisions. Despite leadership changes within the NRA during the project period, the team completed a comprehensive regulatory review, internal validation workshops, and stakeholder engagement, including direct discussions with radio stations. While the final publication of the revised guidelines is pending formal approval, the initiative has already strengthened internal coordination and built a shared institutional understanding of spectrum governance challenges.
South Sudan’s Change Initiative focused on enforcing guidelines on SIM card registration and Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements to strengthen sector integrity and consumer protection. The team developed draft enforcement guidelines, conducted stakeholder consultations with mobile network operators and relevant institutions, and identified critical dependencies with civil registration authorities, security agencies, and law enforcement bodies. The initiative underscored the importance of inter-agency coordination, data protection considerations, and sustained leadership support. While final approvals and nationwide rollout are forthcoming, the regulatory foundations for more consistent SIM registration enforcement are now in place.
Ghana’s Change Initiative addressed digital inclusion and consumer protection for residents of border towns, with a specific focus on educating users about preventing automatic roaming. The initiative responded to persistent challenges faced by border communities, including unexpected roaming charges and limited awareness of consumer rights. Through structured planning, internal coordination, and targeted stakeholder engagement, the team advanced education-focused interventions while applying iPRIS project management tools to strengthen delivery and sustainability beyond the cohort cycle.
Ghana’s contribution emphasised institutional strengthening rather than a single technical reform area. The team reflected on how the iPRIS project management tools, clear objectives, structured workplans, sequencing of approvals, and risk management, supported more disciplined internal coordination and delivery. The experience highlighted the value of change management, cross-departmental collaboration, and leadership engagement in sustaining reform momentum beyond the formal iPRIS cycle.
Across all presentations, several cross-cutting lessons stood out:
These lessons reflect the core premise of iPRIS: that regulatory effectiveness depends as much on institutional capability and process as on technical expertise.
As the fourth cohort concludes its cycle, the focus shifts from completion to continuity. Several teams are advancing toward publication, validation workshops, and implementation phases, building on the structures established during iPRIS. For iPRIS, the wrap-up session also marked two years of supporting various regulators in strengthening institutions from within through practical learning, peer exchange, and structured change initiatives. The fourth cohort’s experience demonstrates that even within constrained environments, regulators can deliver meaningful reform when equipped with the right tools, support, and networks. As iPRIS enters its next phase with ongoing cohorts, the achievements and lessons of this cohort provide a strong foundation for deeper impact, regional learning, and sustained institutional change across the ICT regulatory landscape.
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).
On November 28th, alongside the backdrop of the iPRIS round, a collaborative workshop in Stockholm brought together representatives from the Communications Regulators' Association of Southern Africa (CRASA), SPIDER, and Visionary Analytics. The workshop participants included Bengt G. Mölleryd and Ulf Larsson from SPIDER, Brian K. Mwansa, Acting Executive Secretary of CRASA, and Vaida Gineikytė-Kanclerė and Audronė Sadauskaitė from Visionary Analytics, with additional input from Jonas Antanavičius, who participated online. They intended to work together on a critical pre-study to help develop CRASA's regional data collection and analysis tool. The session indicated a major advancement in the direction of the regulation, based on evidence from the Southern Africa region. This area is increasingly important given the rapid changes in technology, markets, and cross-border digital services that regulators encounter. CRASA's goal is to provide its member National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs) with the necessary insights to make better decisions, advance benchmarking, and increase cooperation across the region through the establishment of a unified data approach.
The workshop outlined the pre-study rationale, scope, and objectives, making it possible for all participants to understand the project's expected outcomes and planned activities. Participants reviewed the methodology and fact-finding approach, which included the main research questions and working assumptions that would guide the study. Additionally, more of the conversation concerned the creation of indicators and a harmonisation index, two major elements for building a strong regional dataset. The group went on to discuss the preliminary concept of a data collection and analysis tool and considered ensuring the tool's significance and future scalability for the member states of CRASA.
The gathering concluded with the articulation of specific next steps: ratifying key agreements, synchronising timelines, and gearing up for the next workshop, where the basic insights gained will be further processed into practical recommendations. These joint discussions underscore the power of actively involving multiple stakeholders by gathering and leveraging regional leadership, technical expertise, and institutional partners to create instruments that support an ecosystem of regulation that is effective, transparent, and ready for the future across sub-Saharan Africa.
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 seventh iPRIS cohort concluded its first round in the project’s cycle, with three intensive weeks in Stockholm, bringing together African National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs), Regional Regulatory Organisations (RROs), implementing partners (SPIDER and PTS), and European partners to advance the development of strategic, impactful Change Initiatives (CIs). The cycle combined institutional learning, practical regulatory insights and hands-on problem-solving to strengthen regulatory capacity and accelerate Africa’s digital transformation. The NRAs included telecom and ICT experts from the National Communications Authority (NCA Ghana), Lesotho Communications Authority (LCA), Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA), Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA The Gambia), Communications Authority (CA Kenya), and Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA). These professionals were joined by their respective RROs, who support them during the entire period of implementing their CIs, from WATRA, EACO, and CRASA. This cohort’s successful first round marks a significant milestone, as iPRIS enters its second year, bringing together African and European telecom experts to advance the ICT landscape in sub-Saharan Africa.
Across the sessions, various emerging issues were identified, including the fact that 93 million women in Sub-Saharan Africa did not use mobile phones, underscoring the significance of progress and the potential of telecom regulatory advancement for the African continent. According to GSMA, around 885 million women in low- and middle-income countries remain unconnected to mobile internet, many of them in Sub-Saharan Africa. Connecting the women and other marginalised groups can bring significant social and economic benefits. Digital inclusion gives women access to various resources such as education, health information, financial services, and markets; it not only uplifts micro-enterprises but also enhances household income, provides financial independence to women, and supports community development. From a macro perspective, reducing the digital gap between males and females might have significant benefits, including higher GDP growth and larger digital-economy revenue.
These numbers indicate the need to prioritise the development of telecom regulation in sub-Saharan Africa. iPRIS is doing that by uniting regulators, regional bodies, and experts into a network that is making policies focused on inclusion, affordability, infrastructure, and equity. iPRIS, through its cohort-based workshops and Change Initiatives, is giving the institutional and regulatory basis needed to formulate strategies that will turn connectivity into real and meaningful access and will realise the potential social and economic impact across Africa.
This round started with a very strong focus on building a common understanding of regulatory shifts, institutional building, and the aim of the Change Initiatives. The regulators shared their national CIs, which included spectrum roadmaps, community networks, consumer protection, emerging technologies, and satellite licensing, among others. Through guided peer review and expert input, the participants refined their initial problem statements and specified the national problems their CIs plan to solve. It was a pivotal first day, as CIs are the cornerstone of iPRIS, representing country-specific issues that enhance the telecom landscape in the participating sub-Saharan countries and regions.
The Swedish Post and Telecom Authority (PTS) hosted sessions that extensively examined the issues of regulatory independence, market supervision, broadband planning and secure communications. Participants discussed the evolution of the market in Sweden from a less competitive, monopoly-type situation to a more consumer-focused market. The lessons they learned were important because they can be applied to certain African regulatory contexts. The discussions of the week also included topics such as user protection, accessibility, numbering systems, and inclusive digital policies; thus, the need for citizen-centric regulation was reiterated. The first week with the cohort strengthened their CIs with a strong analytical basis and gave them a clear picture of how regulatory frameworks can enable equitable digital markets.
Read more about the week 1 sessions here
In the second week, the spotlight shifted from basic concepts to the practical aspects of telecom regulation. The participants took part in expert discussions to further polish their CIs, stress-test their assumptions, and determine the data requirements. The week had one major theme: meaningful access. SPIDER led these discussions, and the participants took a step further and challenged the widespread assumption that if the network covers a location, it is connecting the users. They discussed affordability, device access, digital literacy, electricity supply, safety concerns, and cultural factors as barriers. The gender digital divide was a major issue, underscoring the critical importance of equity-driven policies for women and other marginalised groups.
The cohort also reviewed the role of sex-disaggregated data, human-centered design, and regulatory flexibility to support vulnerable populations. By the end of the second week, regulators had changed their perspective on inclusion - not just in terms of the infrastructure but also in terms of the entire ecosystem that has to be in place to allow real access to the digital world.
The discussions also revolved around the regulation of competition and the realities in African markets, the differences between European approaches and local market dynamics, the disadvantages of prepaid usage, and trends in smartphone adoption in African markets. Later in the week, participants' immersion in activities, such as a visit to Ericsson, exposed them to advanced technologies, including satellite connectivity, fixed-wireless access, network slicing, and enterprise-grade solutions. Lately, the other sessions tackled project management, monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning (MEAL). This session featured the unpacking of future Change Initiatives that would have an impact and the engagement of stakeholders.
Read more about week 2 undertakings here
The third week marked a significant milestone in this iPRIS round, focusing on consolidating CIs, conducting expert consultations, and planning for the future. On Monday, regulators worked with European experts and RROs to refine the goals, activities, and feasibility aspects which were to be presented in their final “Way Forward” presentation later in the week. These intensive sessions not only reinforced the technical and institutional foundation of each CI but also the alignment with national priorities and the iPRIS framework in a more extensive way. Tuesday started with a presentation by Forsway Scandinavia, given by Anders Brandter, which provided participants with information on satellite-based connectivity, hybrid access models, and innovations for underserved areas.
Anders highlighted that “Digital inclusion depends on technology, but also on policy leadership. Without regulatory support, innovative solutions cannot scale.”
Later in the day, a panel discussion with WATRA, CRASA and EACO brought up the issue of regional cooperation being a very important factor for harmonised regulation and smooth cross-border exchanges. The final project management sessions provided intensive facilitation for the participants, who then translated their CIs into action plans using the tools applied. The regulators had their drafts of the ‘Way Forward’ session submitted and devoted the last part of the day to polishing the team presentations. The last day was solely focused on the ‘Way Forward’ CI presentations. The session underscored how far each CI had progressed, moving from conceptual framing in Week 1 to detailed, context-tailored plans ready for implementation. This concluded with certificate distribution, closing remarks from the organisers, and a final evaluation session that captured participant feedback and lessons learned.
Here are some snapshots from the final week sessions:
Over the three weeks, the seventh iPRIS cohort made substantial progress, from foundational learning to practical strategy design and, finally, to clear national roadmaps for transformative Change Initiatives. This first round of the iPRIS cycle for the cohort strengthened regulatory dialogue among African NRAs, RROs, and European partners, reinforcing the shared mission of expanding meaningful, inclusive, and future-ready digital access across the continent.
With their Way Forward plans now in place, participants move confidently toward their second iPRIS round in Ghana in March 2026, prepared to drive regulatory reform, enhance institutional performance and contribute to Africa’s broader digital development agenda.
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 7th cohort's second week in Stockholm clearly showed the programme's transition from basic systems thinking to regulatory problem-solving in practice. During Week 1, the baseline concepts were established; meanwhile, regulators will continue engaging with the SPIDER, the PTS experts, and the Regional Regulatory Organizations (RROs) - WATRA, EACO, and CRASA. Week 2 was mainly focused on participants' Change Initiatives (CIs), and the regulators were given the chance to take home practical tools and frameworks that could be adjusted to suit African contexts. The National Communications Authority (NCA Ghana), Lesotho Communications Authority (LCA), Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA), Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA The Gambia), Communications Authority (CA Kenya), and Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) are the Sub-Saharan African countries included in this seventh cohort.
On Monday, the teams worked exclusively with RROs, SPIDER, and PTS experts in closed sessions to better define their problems, verify their assumptions, and prepare their evidence needs for the technical sessions that would follow. These closed clinics were the foundation for the week’s technical exchanges and ensured that participants could apply the lessons directly to the CIs.
Below are some highlights from the sessions:
Moving from “universal” to “meaningful” access
At Stockholm University’s Department of Computer and Systems Sciences (DSV), the participants were given a warm welcome into Sweden’s academic and policy ecosystem. Caroline Wamala Larsson and Malena Liedholm-Ndounou from SPIDER transformed the concept of access by taking the discussion beyond infrastructure and connectivity. The presenters clarified the distinction between having coverage and having connectivity that was genuinely useful in people's lives. They pointed out that, although coverage had grown in many areas, truly meaningful access required a stable power supply, a budget mobile phone, technical literacy, personal safety, appropriate content, and cultural alignment, without which the connection remained low.
The hard numbers: Coverage vs. usage reality
The group examined recent GSMA statistics indicating that Sub-Saharan Africa had a usage gap of around 61%, equivalent to approximately 710 million people in the network coverage area who were not regularly accessing mobile internet. This gap was not due to the lack of towers but rather to a variety of factors, such as affordability, literacy, relevance, and safety.
The moderators also mentioned gender-related trends: the GSMA data referenced in the discussion showed that 93 million women in Sub-Saharan Africa did not use mobile phones. They also pointed out that the network covered 215 million women but did not have access to the internet through mobile phones, demonstrating the compounded effect of factors such as ownership, freedom, and social barriers on women’s digital engagement.
Not just equality but equity
The sessions used easy-to-understand analogies, the apple tree, and a “game of life” depiction to emphasize that giving equal inputs does not always result in equal outcomes. Regulators were prompted to consider equity from the standpoint not just of treating everyone equally, but of creating different interventions so that those starting from disadvantaged positions can reach the same outcomes as others. This perspective called for the active participation of the government, civil society, and private-sector partners to confront and eliminate structural barriers together.
What is the reason for the gap in usage?
The participants grouped these barriers that were overlapping:
These findings shifted the discussion from a monolithic infrastructure concern to multidimensional policy responses that integrated USAF investments with social policy, education, language, and safety measures.
The session on the competition regulations with PTS specialists Alberto Naranjo and Björn Backgård quickly shifted from the theoretical to the practical in the African markets. The long formulas were no longer the subject of discussion but rather the main question for the consumer, the regulator, and the operator, facing completely different conditions from those in Europe. Participants compared two approaches to regulation: Europe's price-based and cost-based regulation, and the most powerful insights came from the audience itself.
The main factors that influenced the conversation:
Smartphone use is going to skyrocket.
Sub-Saharan Africa is going to move from 54% to more than 80% smartphone adoption among mobile subscribers. A young population, affordability programs, and the availability of digital services are the main reasons for this change. The competition and the market access will be totally different.
Mobile Number Portability is not a big deal when every user has at least two SIM cards.
Consumers have been switching operators by changing SIMs, as many regulators have reported. Nowadays, the interconnection rates are so low that the incentive to be “on-net” is no longer there, so there is not much urgency for MNP in a lot of markets.
Prepaid is the king — and he changes the rules of the game.
In markets where prepaid is the leading payment method, customers are quick to reward excellent service and just as quick to punish poor quality. However, this also indicates underlying problems, such as the low number of credit users.
Roaming is still a tricky situation.
Although there are regional regulations in SADC and ECOWAS, operators still resist lowering wholesale rates to a great extent. Wi-Fi and apps like WhatsApp are helping users avoid roaming charges, even though they still incur them.
A common conclusion
The nature of the competition, in effect, is not determined by the number of operators but rather by the presence of genuine choice, fair prices, and incentives that align with the purchasing behavior of African consumers.
On the third day, the group moved to the heart of Sweden's innovation scene - the Kista headquarters of Ericsson. The day began with the welcome of Peter Olusoji Ogundele, who presented on market trends, regulatory priorities, and next-generation technologies. A Global Spectrum Update explained how the demand, licensing, and coordination in the spectrum are changing globally - a must-have background for Change Initiatives that require good spectrum planning. Afterwards, a survey of the satellite market revealed the emergence of LEO constellations and the impact of new players on rural areas' coverage, competition, and prices in Africa.
During one of the sessions, which were very forward-looking, EU AI policy and enterprise AI compliance were reviewed, and the interconnection among telecom infrastructure, data governance, and emerging AI-driven services was highlighted. After that, the Ericsson team introduced network security from a holistic perspective, highlighting the three aspects of resilience, threat detection, and the changing responsibilities of critical infrastructure operators.
In the afternoon, the group toured the Ericsson Imagine Studio, participating in hands-on demonstrations of Digital Twin technologies, XR applications, network slicing, enterprise solutions, FWA deployments, and advanced Quality of Service tools. They thus saw the abstract concepts transformed into tangible solutions.
The day concluded with a multistakeholder panel discussion among Ericsson, Telia and PTS, where the participants were allowed to query the industry experts about the factors that encourage investment, the competition so far in the market, and its future dynamics. Day 3 was an experience paralleled by none in the whole week - a hands-on, high-impact encounter with the technologies and the ruling industry perspectives molding the communication in Africa.
Day 4 merged the two most essential factors of this ipRIS cycle: efficient project management and the adoption of the deep, human-centric digital inclusion lesson. The morning session, entitled Beyond Universal Access Part 2, was conducted by Dr Caroline Wamala Larsson. The session challenged participants to investigate who still lacks connectivity and the reasons for this. In the afternoon MEAL session, guided by Malena Liedholm Ndounou, the focus was on assisting the teams in refining their Change Initiatives into structured, fundable, and measurable projects.
Building Stronger Projects Through MEAL
Malena took the NRAs through the result chain, impact, outcomes, outputs, and convinced the teams to start by thinking of the end. Impact statements like “improve digital inclusion” are driven by ambition, but still, change initiatives need to be expressed in terms of deliverable outputs and measurable indicators. The teams focused on refining their project plans, identifying internal and external stakeholders, and outlining where modifications will be necessary when actual implementation begins.
It was noted that organisations often overlook accountability and learning. Malena reminded the participants that assessing what didn’t work is a must: “If you had the opportunity to restart this project, what would you do differently?” This approach, she pointed out, is as much a part of national telecom regulation as it is of everyday organisational practice.
Beyond universal access: Understanding usage gaps and human realities
The group spent time discussing the week's main question again: Why does high infrastructure coverage not result in high usage? The discussions in the room highlighted that the coverage gap globally has now been reduced to about 4 per cent. In comparison, the usage gap has remained at about 39per cent and 60 per cent in Sub-Saharan Africa. The talks brought out a number of reasons, such as: the cost of the service, the lack of smart mobile phones, which is often below 20%, the limited skills of the users, and the myths that still exist — ranging from EMF rumors to 5G conspiracies — that affect people's behavior as consumers.
Dr Wamala pointed out the need for sex-disaggregated data, equitable numbering, and addressing resource allocation and consumer awareness as regulatory levers that could help in closing the divide. Participants recounted their national experiences with Girls in ICT programs, children's online protection, regional consumer parliaments, and reforms in cybercrimes legislation.
The second week of the iPRIS 7th cohort cycle in Stockholm has been very participatory and illuminating, from actual site visits to learning about DEI and project management principles. Today, the focus will be on MEAL in greater depth and on exploring practical applications of European regulatory practices. The first part of the day is devoted to hands-on sessions by Malena Liedholm Ndounou from SPIDER, who will introduce regulators to the tools and methodologies that they can use to plan, monitor, and evaluate their change initiatives effectively.
The next step for the participants is a visit to Telia at the Mall of Scandinavia, where Egle Gudelyte-Harvey, Head of Legal, will speak to the group about Western European telecom operations, regulatory compliance, and innovative practices, including digital services, legal frameworks, and network management case studies. The incorporation of such experiences will enable attendees to link theory and practice; they will see how big players navigate difficult regulatory situations, keep their operations running, and even turn a profit.
Each morning and afternoon session will be interactive, with peer learning and reflection, and will include time for participants to share their insights and plan their next steps. By blending classroom learning with on-the-ground exposure, week two has strengthened participants' capacity to lead change initiatives in their respective countries, thereby spreading practical understanding of how European regulatory policies can guide and inspire the digital transformation in Africa.
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).
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