Regional regulatory cooperation remains a cornerstone of Africa’s digital transformation agenda. The 15th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Communications Regulators’ Association of Southern Africa (CRASA), held in Lilongwe, Malawi, from 16 to 17 April 2026, brought together national regulatory authorities (NRAs), regional bodies, and partners to reflect on progress, address governance challenges, and explore the future of digital regulation across Southern Africa.

A platform for regional alignment and strategic dialogue

The AGM was preceded by a forward-looking summit focused on “G5 regulation”, a framework aimed at advancing next-generation, digitally responsive regulatory systems. Discussions emphasised the need for regulators to transition towards more adaptive, future-oriented models capable of supporting evolving digital ecosystems.

However, a key insight emerging from the discussions was the gap between current regulatory maturity and future ambitions. While the G5 framework points towards advanced digital regulation, many participating countries are still operating at earlier stages of regulatory development. This highlights a critical need for bridging strategies to ensure that regulatory evolution is both realistic and inclusive.

Driving collaboration across regional bodies

The AGM also provided a platform to strengthen collaboration between CRASA and other regional initiatives, including iPRIS. Engagements during the meeting highlighted growing interest in better coordination of capacity-building efforts and regulatory development programmes across regions.

Notably, participation from iPRIS stakeholders and alumni demonstrated the programme’s increasing relevance within regional regulatory spaces. Alumni are beginning to take on more prominent roles within their institutions, contributing to discussions and shaping regulatory priorities at both national and regional levels.

Tangible outcomes at the forefront

Across multiple sessions, a recurring theme emerged: the need to translate dialogue into actionable outcomes. While the AGM facilitated rich discussions on policy, strategy, and cooperation, participants emphasised the importance of moving beyond conversations towards implementation.

This includes:

  • Advancing harmonised regulatory frameworks across countries
  • Strengthening cross-border coordination on spectrum and digital services
  • Delivering measurable improvements in consumer protection and market efficiency

Building a more cohesive regulatory future

The CRASA 15th AGM reaffirmed the importance of regional platforms in shaping Africa’s digital future. It highlighted both progress and persistent challenges, from advancing regulatory frameworks to strengthening institutional governance.

For iPRIS and its partners, the AGM reinforces a clear direction:

  • Continue supporting regulators with practical, context-driven capacity building
  • Strengthen alignment with regional organisations like CRASA
  • Focus on implementation, impact, and measurable change

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).