As the Ghana National Communications Authority (NCA)  looked forward to the 2025 World Consumer Rights Day, the telecom regulator partnered with the Radiation Protection Institute to feature in GBC’s adult education program. The consumer education focused on enlightening the local populace with facts and de-mystifying myths surrounding Masts and Towers. This exercise took place from 17-20 March and 22 March through live interviews on a local TV channel, GTV Ghana. 

To ensure that the information effectively reached consumers, the discussions were held in local languages: Akan, Dagbani, Ga, Ewe, and Hausa. The activity highlighted the efforts that NCA is undertaking to ensure that telecom consumers stay informed regarding concerns they might have about telecommunication infrastructure. Such undertakings aim to improve digital consumption and alleviate consumer concerns by assuring their safety. 

The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA), on 7th April, hosted a high-level Regional Development Forum (RDF) for Africa in Nairobi. This meeting brought together primary stakeholders in the telecommunications and ICT sectors to discuss the continent's digital shifts. The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) organised and led the convening, in collaboration with the Africa Telecommunications Union (ATU), to analyse Africa’s digital evolution and discuss regional focus as the telecommunications industry anticipates the 2025 World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC). WTDC-25 will take place in Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan, from 17 to 28 November 2025. 

This convening provided an opportunity to provide solutions to the issues that Africa grapples with in the digital landscape. The meeting came at an appropriate moment, as the region deals with slow internet adoption and connectivity costs and a concerning digital inequality gap. The Cabinet Secretary of ICT in Kenya, William Kabogo, stated that:

‘This forum is very important for us in Africa, because if you go to Nigeria, a very fast-moving society, they have their successes. You come to Nairobi; we say we are the Silicon Savannah of Africa. If we exchange experiences and information among ourselves, we should be able to get to the top and then tell our development partners this is what we think you can do to assist us.’

Cosmas Zavazava, Director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau at ITU (left), and William Kabogo, Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy in Kenya (right). Photo courtesy ©ITU/S. Kinyanjui

The participants insisted on the need for Africa-pioneered solutions, with regional cooperation in mind for the success of the digital environment in Africa. It was noted that such actions can drive development goals that align with Africa’s priorities. John Omo, the Secretary General ITU, revealed that: 

‘When digital access remains unreliable and unavailable for nearly 60% of our people, economic participation, social inclusion, and public service delivery are all undermined, and these are development barriers that require coordinated and actionable responses.’

John Omo, the Secretary General ITU. Photo courtesy of ITU/S. Kinyanjui

This convening also assessed the progress made toward the Kigali Action Plan, which was adopted in 2022. This plan focused on expanding broadband, supporting innovations in the region, and promoting safer digital environments.

The Regional Preparatory Meeting for WTDC-25 for Africa (RPM-AFR) took place from 8 to 9 April after the RDF on the 7th in Nairobi. Mr David Mugonyi, EBS, Director General of CA Kenya welcomed the delegation on 8th following the inception of RPM-AFR. 

Mr David highlighted the significance of RPM-AFR in anticipation of WTDC-25 stating that

“Digital transformation is a socio-economic imperative for every African country. In capitals across Africa, the hunger for innovation is palpable, our relentless youth are  united in demand of more connectivity, more skills, and more prosperity. Our entrepreneurs are attacking opportunities, governments are expanding service delivery and our communities wait expectantly for the fruits of this digital transformation.”

Dr Emma Otieno, Head of Central & Eastern Region at CA, attended the event and shared insightful thoughts from the discussions that took place during RPM-AFR. She revealed that:

“One of the things that have interested me, and we can take pride in because they are aligned to the objectives of iPRIS, is the issues related to capacity building. One commendable thing is that capacity building has been touted as a key pillar in every initiative discussed here. We've discussed emerging technologies, AI, quantum computing, and big data. Capacity building is a key pillar if Africa has to join the race for emerging technologies, especially artificial intelligence.”

Dr Emma is an iPRIS alumni and participated in the first ever iPRIS cohort that had their initial round in Stockholm in November 2023 and their Africa round in Namibia in March 2024. Read more about the first-ever iPRIS cohort’s activities while in Namibia here

07 April 2025 

Anthony Omoshie, IT Specialist & Facilities Management Support Consultant at West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly (WATRA | ARTAO), shared some insights on regional telecommunications regulation following the IPRIS Africa round in Namibia. He highlighted the significance of fostering a better telecommunications ecosystem and regional cooperation among member states.

This interview has been edited for clarity.

iPRIS: Please introduce yourself and what you do at WATRA.

Anthony Omoshie: I am Anthony Omoshie, the IT specialist and Facilities Management Consultant at WATRA Secretariat in Abuja, Nigeria. I handle the technical and utilities issues related to the Secretariat in Abuja. That is my core function, and I assist in every other department to the best of my abilities.

iPRIS: From WATRA’s standpoint, what were the most important results or discussions from the IPRIS Africa round in Namibia? Do these align with WATRA's objectives for regional regulatory cooperation?

Anthony Omoshie: There were a few key takeaways from Namibia, 2024C round, where WATRA members NCA Ghana, and LTA Liberia were present. It is clear from the discussions held that there is a drive towards ensuring a better ecosystem for telecommunications within their respective jurisdictions. The planned activities align with their change initiatives based on the activities and discussions carried out. There will be benefits for the citizens of West Africa as continuous efforts from each member state will affect the sub-region's economy. 

As a regional organisation, we have a lot of emphasis on the importance of the iPRIS program. And we're immensely grateful to SPIDER for their support and the EU for funding the project through SIDA.

It was also interesting to see the issues arising from the various markets and how they can be politically addressed, based on past experiences with other members who participated in the same and previous programs before IPRIS was launched. I'm also happy to support and contribute in any way I can to ensure that each of the NRAS achieves what they are set out to achieve regarding their change initiatives. 

iPRIS: Regulatory fragmentation is among the primary issues facing regulation in Sub-Saharan Africa. What activities does WATRA undertake to combat these issues and ensure regulatory harmonisation among its members? 

Anthony Omoshie: Regulatory fragmentation is challenging, especially when diverse issues contribute to the same problem. We have different markets, structures, and growth levels among WATRA members. There’s also diversity in language. 

One of WATRA's objectives as a regional entity is to tackle this issue innovatively. All the countries have their own priorities and national interests. The IPRIS program was designed to address the challenges we faced in getting members to participate, since the language barrier proved to be a problem. The initial SPIDER program, ITP, was all English, but IPRIS has three language categories: English, French, and Portuguese.

The best way for WATRA to tackle the problem of regulatory fragmentation was to foster collaboration amongst our members. So the innovative approach we came up with, in addition to the other previous steps, was the recent establishment of our working groups following our strategic plan 2022-2025, which was ratified in December of 2022. Working groups were established to tackle the critical issues and challenges within the sector. 

The best way to ensure that regulatory frameworks are harmonised is by providing a platform where all members can actively share their concerns and views on various sector subjects and discuss how best to solve such problems. 

In 2024, after our 21st AGM in Freetown, One of the challenges that came up was the issue of non-resistance, orbit services at Non-Geostationary Orbit (NGSO), which came up as a general issue that cut across the board for all members, how to approach the providers of such services, and how to ensure that it doesn't hurt their economy. It stemmed from a general concern, and because of that, an ad hoc working group was established. It was mandated that solutions be provided for all members to leverage an approach to this issue within the sub-region. 

The group delivered our best WATRA NGSO framework on our website. It has guided all members to engage with NGSO service providers and operators and how they can look to the best of their abilities. It has also allowed them to localise within their jurisdictions, allowing them to engage such players in the industry effectively. The best way to address this issue of regulatory fragmentation is to promote collaboration, and we are promoting that collaboration through our working groups.

iPRIS: Are there any cross-border challenges WATRA faces in pursuing spectrum allocation and coordinating inter-country cooperation?

Anthony Omoshie: At a regional level, there haven't been such challenges regarding spectrum allocation. However, some of these challenges may exist at the national level and have already been addressed. 

When it comes to spectrum allocation and spectrum planning, it is advised, especially within the ITU framework, that frequency sharing and cross-border coordination between neighbouring countries should be coordinated to ensure that each respective jurisdiction is respected. 

We can reference NCA Ghana's current change initiative, consumer education awareness on preventing automatic problems. One of their findings revealed an issue with the profile zone that operators in neighbouring countries are not respecting. 

They now have a team with the NCA responsible for this, and the same applies to their neighbours, Côte d'Ivoire, Togo, and Burkina Faso. However, that has not been discussed at the regional level. If that doesn't work out, the next line of action will be to bring it up on a platform like the WATRA AGM, which is coming up in the next few days. Other than that, cross-border engagement between people is good.

iPRIS: Telecom regulation faces shifts due to AI and new technologies. How does Watra support member countries to ensure they are ready for such technological shifts?

Anthony Omoshie: We know the impact that AI and other emerging technologies bring to the sector, and how all regulators in West Africa are affected. 

I will borrow Hans's words from our session on strategic foresight in Namibia. You need to have a good level of strategic foresight to be ahead of the market and its advancements. One of WATRA's mandates is to provide capacity-building workshops and programs for our members to stay up-to-date with market trends and the sector as a whole. 

From our 21st AGM in Freetown last year, the first day featured a workshop on AI and big data analytics, as well as how regulatory tools need to be updated to meet the standards that AI and other investment technologies bring. WATRA’s role is to provide a capacity-building program for our members in key areas of concern within the sector. There is no doubt that AI is a trending area of concern, and the plan is to continue organising such capacity-building workshops for our members to ensure they stay up to date.

 To reiterate, we provide a platform where members can come together at the regional level and build their capacity on subjects and trending matters related to the telecommunications sector in West Africa.

iPRIS is coordinated and implemented by SPIDER in strategic and technical partnership with the Swedish Post and Telecom Authority (PTS) and the Luxembourg Regulatory Institute (ILR).

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).

In a significant step towards regional integration, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and The Gambia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strip off roaming charges between these countries. The MoU allows citizens to use mobile services at local rates while travelling to encourage economic collaboration and enhance connectivity.

The MoU is in line with the broader ECOWAS intent to lower high roaming costs across West Africa. Starting from 2 May 2025, Liberian citizens travelling to Sierra Leone will be able to receive calls on their phones without charges- on the local service for use, similar to what happens inside the country. The same contract will apply to The Gambia on July 1, 2025. Abdullah Kamara, Acting Chairperson of Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA), hails it as a game-changer for regional connectivity and plans to include further similar arrangements to Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, Togo, and Benin by the end of the year. 

iPRIS is coordinated and implemented by SPIDER in strategic and technical partnership with the Swedish Post and Telecom Authority (PTS) and the Luxembourg Regulatory Institute (ILR).

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 27th and 28th March, CRASA was hosted by LCA in Maseru, Lesotho, to hold its 14th AGM. The AGM is the primary decision-making body of CRASA. The AGM convenes once a year to gather and approve reports from the specialised committees, the association's annual budget, the CRASA annual report, audited accounts, and annual operational plans. It also serves as a stage where the members can convene to discuss and share experiences in the sector through centered reports, presentations, and discussions on fields and trends that are relevant to them. Consequently, the AGM fosters collaboration among telecom regulators and stakeholders in the region.

ITU Secretary General Doreen Bogdan-Martin making an opening speech

The 14th CRASA AGM brought together industry peers to discuss emerging issues in the fast-changing digital tool regulatory sector in the southern Sub-Saharan Africa region. Regulation is a key issue when digital tools are in play, and CRASA, through such meetings, underscores the value of evaluating the sector to adapt to the evolving industry. CRASA remains a primary player in determining the shape of ICT governance in the southern region of Sub-Sahara Africa. 

Here are some photo highlights from the AGM

Lesotho’s Minister for ICT and Innovation Nthati Moorsoi welcoming the participants to the AGM

The CEO ESCCOM Eswatini Mvilawemphi Dlamini, who is also the chairperson of CRASA making his remarks at the AGM

We are excited to welcome the fifth iPRIS cohort, 2025B! From May 4 to 21, regulatory experts from Eswatini, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia will dive into an intensive 2.5-week training, connecting, learning, and growing together for a stronger telecom future in Africa.

The 2025B group will be the fourth English-speaking cohort to participate in the iPRIS project after the third English-speaking group (2024C) participated in their first peer-to-peer learning session in Sweden in November 2024. The 2024C cohort also recently participated in an additional knowledge-sharing experience in Namibia in March 2025. An additional iPRIS cohort, such as the first French-speaking 2024B group, also participated in a similar exercise, meeting in Senegal in February. The first iPRIS cohort 2023A, comprising regulators from Nigeria, Kenya, Namibia, Eswatini, South Sudan, Zambia, and Sierra Leone, completed their iPRIS cycle in December 2024.

The 2025B cohort will meet for one week after four months in one of the African countries represented in their group for the Africa phase. This week-long meeting will provide a platform for participants to review the progress of their change initiatives, share results, and engage in discussions to enhance their change initiatives further. One year after the round begins (May 2026), the efficacy and progress of the change initiatives implemented by the participating NRAs will be evaluated in partnership with the participating African and European telecom experts.

iPRIS is coordinated and implemented by SPIDER in strategic and technical partnership with the Swedish Post and Telecom Authority (PTS) and the Luxembourg Regulatory Institute (ILR).

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 March 17-20, iPRIS was in  Swakopmund, Namibia, hosted by Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) where our fourth iPRIS cohort, comprising of ICT experts representing National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs) from Namibia, Kenya, South Sudan, Liberia, Zimbabwe, and Ghana, took part In the Africa Regional peer to peer knowledge building session. They were also joined by Mr. Anthony Omoshie from the West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly (WATRA | ARTAO) and Mr. Alexis Sinarinzi from the East African Communications Organization  (EACO). 

Ms Jeanine Du Toit (CRAN Board Member) welcomed the participants to the culturally rich coastal town on the first day of the sessions. Ms Jeanine had valuable insights to offer as she acknowledged the relevance of the iPRIS project. 

She noted that “the iPRIS project was conceived as a response to the growing complexities and challenges within the ICT sector, an acknowledgment that the future of our digital economy depends on robust regulatory frameworks, effective policies, and the skilled personnel who will implement them.”

Additionally, the NRAs presented their progress and results regarding the change initiative. Change initiatives are the cornerstone of iPRIS and are specifically designed to align with the strategic agendas of the participating national telecom regulators. They are strategic projects chosen and undertaken by the national regulators to contribute to bridging the digital divide.

The week-long programme provided comprehensive sessions to enhance skills and knowledge across various ICT regulatory topics. Participants engaged in workshops on strategic foresight led by Lars Gustafsson, iPRIS Coordinator at Swedish National Telecom and Post Agency (PTS). Mr. Anthony Omoshie from the West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly (WATRA) and Mr. Alexis Sinarinzi from the East African Communications Organization  (EACO)  offered insights on regional harmonisation aimed at advancing economic and social development in the region.

Kerstin Borglin and Katja Sarajeva from SPIDER led an interactive project management essentials and MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning) frameworks session engaging participants in hands-on learning to boost program effectiveness and sharpen impact assessment skills. Jens Ingman (Swedish Post and Telecom Authority) also delivered an insightful session on Broadband Mapping, shedding light on critical strategies for improving connectivity. Hans Hedin, also from Swedish Post and Telecom Authority, facilitated a session on strategic foresight and intelligence. Dr. Caroline Wamala Larsson (Director, SPIDER) facilitated a session on diversity and inclusion strategies, equipping participants with tools to foster inclusive and equitable environments within their telecom organisations. Ericsson representatives also provided valuable insights on 5 G.

Along the sidelines of the training, the telecom regulators enjoyed a cultural visit with an excursion to the Moonlandscape, experiencing the radiant heart of Namibia.

Here are some photo highlights from Namibia

Katarina Schyberg, iPRIS Project Lead with CRAN representatives in Swakopmund

Ms Jeanine Du Toit (CRAN Board Member) welcomes the participants to Swakopmund

Participants engaging in discussions during the knowledge-sharing sessions

iPRIS is coordinated and implemented by SPIDER in strategic and technical partnership with the Swedish Post and Telecom Authority (PTS) and the Luxembourg Regulatory Institute (ILR).

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 first French-speaking iPRIS cohort (2024B) met in Dakar for a peer-to-peer knowledge-sharing session from February 12-15. This meeting follows their inaugural participation as iPRIS participants in Luxembourg in September 2024. Six regulators participated: ANRTIC Comoros, ARCEP Central Africa Republic, ARCEP Chad, ARE Mauritania, ARPCE Congo, and ARTP Senegal. They were joined by Ms. Bernice Otye Edande, representing ARTAC, Mr. Ruffus Samuel from WATRA, ILR, and FRATEL, with SPIDER as organiser.

The session enabled the participating regulators to progress in planning and monitoring their ‘change initiatives,’ the strategic projects that each national team develops during the iPRIS cycle. Speeches from representatives of the Swedish Embassy in Senegal, the Luxembourg Embassy, and the EU Delegation in Senegal punctuated the session's opening.

iPRIS contributes to reducing the digital divide by improving inclusive and meaningful digital connectivity in Africa. The project thus contributes to the realisation of the African Union’s Digital Transformation Strategy 2020-2030 in line with the EU Global Gateways strategy.

Photo highlights from the peer-to-peer sessions in  Senegal

iPRIS participants in Senegal at the backdrop of the peer-to-peer learning sessions

The participants hold peer-to-peer discussions during the week in Dakar

The first-ever iPRIS French-speaking cohort with their African and European peers in Senegal

iPRIS is coordinated and implemented by SPIDER in strategic and technical partnership with the Swedish Post and Telecom Authority (PTS) and the Luxembourg Regulatory Institute (ILR).

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).

iPRIS aims to bridge the digital divide by boosting the capacities of African telecommunications regulatory authorities through peer-to-peer learning, in partnership with European counterparts. Designed as a dynamic capacity-building initiative, iPRIS is poised to revolutionise the landscape of National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs) and Regional Regulatory Organisations (RROs) across 43 African countries in the period 2023-2028.

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).

November marked  a significant milestone for the iPRIS project as we celebrated one year since the launch of our first capacity-building session in November 2023. In just 12 months, iPRIS has hosted three cohorts, engaging telecom regulators across Anglophone and Francophone Africa. Today, we are proud to collaborate with 21 African telecom authorities to drive meaningful social and economic transformation across the continent.

This past September, the iPRIS project held its first-ever iPRIS cycle for a cohort from Francophone Africa. The capacity building covered various topics, including consumer protection, spectrum management, regulatory frameworks, digital inclusion, and spectrum management. Participants also experienced Luxembourg’s cultural sites, including the Lëtzebuerg City Museum and the European Union Court of Justice.

In October, the Africa Regional Follow-Up phase in Dar es Salaam provided a platform for regulators from the second iPRIS cohort to showcase progress on their change initiatives, with sessions on project management, MEAL, cybersecurity, and legacy technology transitions enriched by insights from Ericsson Tanzania.

Group photo of the fourth iPRIS cohort.

This November 10–27th,  we hosted our fourth iPRIS Cohort in Sweden for intensive 2.5-week peer-to-peer capacity building. Concurrently, the Africa Tech Festival was held in Cape Town, South Africa, from November 11–14 where  the D4D Hub  showcased its private sector advisory group.

In December, we will join the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Riyadh, focusing on policy, outreach, and capacity-building initiatives to maximise digital opportunities and address emerging digital risks. Please be sure to visit the iPRIS and D4D Hub booth if you are in attendance!

iPRIS is coordinated and implemented by SPIDER, in strategic and technical partnership with the Swedish Post and Telecom Authority (PTS) and the Luxembourg Regulatory Institute (ILR). It builds on the success of a similar programme implemented by SPIDER and PTS which engaged 27 English-speaking African regulators between 2016 and 2022.

Currently, around 70 telecom experts from across Africa are taking part in the iPRIS peer-to-peer capacity-building cycle, playing a crucial role in expanding ICT access, fostering innovation, and unlocking development potential in their countries.  Between 2023 and 2028, iPRIS aims to boost the capacities of telecom regulators in 43 African countries by creating opportunities for partnerships and tools that break down language barriers and stimulate European and African cooperation within and between continents.

Thank you for being part of this journey with iPRIS as we work to shape Africa’s digital future.

Dr. Caroline Wamala Larsson

Director, SPIDER

For the first time in COP history, the Presidency has acknowledged the role of digitalisation in climate talks, designating a Digitalisation Day. The 2024 UN Climate Change Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, will feature the Green Digital Action track, emphasising the role of digitalisation in climate resilience. Digital technology offers immense potential to enhance food production and supply efficiency in Africa, promising significant economic, social, and environmental benefits.

Driving transformative climate action

On November 16, 2024, two key events will occur: a high-level meeting and the Declaration on Green Digital Action launch, both focusing on how digital technologies can drive transformative climate action.
The High-Level Roundtable on Digital Action Path 4 Green World will explore how technology can advance climate goals. Key speakers include H.E. Ms. Nigar Arpadarai, Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP29; H.E. Mr. Rashad Nabiyev, Minister of Digital Development and Transport of Azerbaijan; and H.E. Ms. Doreen Bogdan Martin, Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
The roundtable, moderated by Mr. Tomas Lamanauskas, Deputy Secretary-General of the ITU, will feature insights from government representatives from Bahrain, Brazil, China, Egypt, Estonia, Japan, Kazakhstan, and more.
The event will also bring together partners like the IAEA, UNECE, UNCTAD, UNDP, UNEP, UNESCO, UNIDO, World Bank, and private sector leaders from companies like Alibaba, Cisco, Google, and Nokia.

COP29 Declaration on Green Digital Action

The high-level meeting will conclude with adopting the Declaration on Green Digital Action, a global commitment to promote climate-positive digitalisation, reduce ICT emissions, and expand access to green technologies.
The Declaration calls for collaboration among governments, the private sector, and international organisations to advance sustainable digitalisation, especially in developing regions. It encourages regulatory frameworks that support eco-friendly digital practices, positioning digitalisation as a key element in global climate action. Governments and stakeholders are invited to endorse the Declaration, joining a unified effort to leverage digital innovation for a sustainable future.

In this newsletter, you will find updates on the iPRIS project's progress towards boosting the capacities of African telecom regulators, highlights from recent peer-to-peer knowledge sharing sessions and news from the telecommunications landscape. We also share exciting news about upcoming events, including the convening of our fourth iPRIS cohort this November.

Here is the latest update from Dr. Caroline Wamala Larsson, the Director of SPIDER. SPIDER coordinates the implementation of the iPRIS project in technical partnership with PTS and ILR. The project is funded by the EU, Sweden and Luxembourg.

Dear Colleagues,

November marks a significant milestone for the iPRIS project as we celebrate one year since the launch of our first capacity-building session in November 2023. In just 12 months, iPRIS has hosted three cohorts, engaging telecom regulators across Anglophone and Francophone Africa. Today, we are proud to collaborate with 21 African telecom authorities to drive meaningful social and economic transformation across the continent.

Currently, around 70 telecom experts from across Africa are taking part in the iPRIS peer-to-peer capacity-building cycle, playing a crucial role in expanding ICT access, fostering innovation, and unlocking development potential in their countries.  Between 2023 and 2028, iPRIS aims to boost the capacities of telecom regulators in 43 African countries by creating opportunities for partnerships and tools that break down language barriers and stimulate European and African cooperation within and between continents.

This past September, the iPRIS project held its first-ever iPRIS cycle for a cohort from Francophone Africa. The capacity building covered various topics, including consumer protection, spectrum management, regulatory frameworks, digital inclusion, and spectrum management. Participants also experienced Luxembourg’s cultural sites, including the Lëtzebuerg City Museum and the European Union Court of Justice.

In October, the Africa Regional Follow-Up phase in Dar es Salaam provided a platform for regulators from the second iPRIS cohort to showcase progress on their change initiatives, with sessions on project management, MEAL, cybersecurity, and legacy technology transitions enriched by insights from Ericsson Tanzania.

Looking ahead, from November 10–27th, we are excited to host our fourth iPRIS Cohort in Sweden for intensive 2.5-week peer-to-peer capacity building. Concurrently, the Africa Tech Festival will be held in Cape Town, South Africa, from November 11–14. Be sure to visit stand I68, where the D4D Hub will showcase its private sector advisory group.

In December, we will join the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Riyadh, focusing on policy, outreach, and capacity-building initiatives to maximise digital opportunities and address emerging digital risks. Please be sure to visit our booth if you are in attendance!

Thank you for being part of this journey with iPRIS as we work to shape Africa’s digital future.

With kind regards,

Dr. Caroline Wamala Larsson

Director, SPIDER

iPRIS Ignites Change with First iPRIS cycle for Francophone Africa

The first-ever iPRIS peer-to-peer capacity building session for a French-speaking cohort was held in Luxembourg from September 8th to September 25th, 2024. Read More

The Africa Regional peer-to-peer knowledge sharing session - Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, October 2024

The Africa Regional peer-to-peer capacity-building and knowledge-sharing session for the second iPRIS English cohort was held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, from 7-10 October 2024. The convening reviewed the progress of the change initiatives. It included telecom experts from ICASA South Africa, ICTA Mauritius, LCA Lesotho, PURA The Gambia, TCRA Tanzania, UCC Uganda, PTS, EACO, WATRA, CRASA, as well as SPIDER, and the EU Delegation to Tanzania and Ericsson. Read More

Welcoming the fourth iPRIS cohort, paving the way for a more connected Africa

We are excited to welcome the fourth iPRIS cohort, 2024C! From November 10–27, regulatory experts from Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Liberia, South Sudan, and Zimbabwe will dive into an intensive 2.5-week capacity-building, connecting, learning, and growing together for a stronger telecom future in Africa. Read More

UN Summit of the Future: Advancing Telecommunications and Digital Inclusion

At this year’s UN General Assembly, leaders came together to endorse the Pact for the Future, a forward-thinking agreement launched at the United Nations Summit of the Future. Signed on September 22, 2024, the pact lays out a clear path for rolling out advanced telecom systems and bridging digital divides across the globe. Read More

ZICTA releases the 2024 mid-year market report

The ICT sector in Zambia continues to serve as a powerful catalyst for economic and social transformation. As highlighted in the 2024 Mid-Year Market Report, significant advancements in telecommunications have driven widespread digital access. Read More

French telecom regulators to meet in Gabon for the 22nd Fratel Annual Meeting 2024

The 22nd Annual Meeting of the French-speaking network for telecommunications regulation (Fratel) will take place in Libreville, Gabon, from November 26 to 27, 2024. Hosted by Gabon's Electronic Communications and Postal Regulation Authority (ARCEP), this year’s gathering will focus on the theme: “Future Business Models and Strategies for Telecom Operators.”Fratel, the French-speaking telecommunications regulation network created in 2003, aims to contribute to training and collaboration between its members.

Upcoming Events

• iPRIS 2024C European cycle, Nov 10-28, Stockholm, Sweden
• Africa Tech Festival Nov 12-14 Cape Town International Convention Centre, South Africa.
• 47th ATU Telecommunications /ICT Day Dec 7, E-meeting, Nairobi.
• The Regional Preparatory Meeting for WTDC-25 for Africa (RPM-AFR), 8 to 9 April 2025, Nairobi, Kenya.
• Team Europe at Africa Tech Festival, Nov 11-14, 2024.

Connect with iPRIS

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For media/project-related queries, please contact;

Ms. Edna Soomre, Project Lead- iPRIS

The ICT sector in Zambia continues to serve as a powerful catalyst for economic and social transformation. As highlighted in the 2024 Mid-Year Market Report, significant advancements in telecommunications have driven widespread digital access, with mobile network subscriptions reaching 21.9 million by mid-2024, reflecting a penetration rate of 109.2%​. This surge underscores the critical role telecommunications play in fostering connectivity, innovation, and sustainable development across the country.

According to the United Nations Sustainable Development Group, "Zambia has embarked on a transformative journey towards a digital future, making significant strides in recent years. Internet access has been steadily increasing, with approximately 11.4 million active internet subscribers as of 2024, reflecting the country’s commitment to expanding digital connectivity and bridging the digital divide."

Investments in projects like the Universal Access and Service Fund (UASF), which saw the construction of 51 new telecommunication towers, are helping to bridge the digital divide and extend essential services to underserved communities​.

The Government's forward-thinking policies are further encouraging growth. For instance, introducing a national Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy and the Start-Up Bill is poised to drive innovation and entrepreneurship in the ICT sector​. As Zambia looks toward its digital future, telecommunications will be pivotal in supporting emerging technologies like AI, 5G, and the Internet of Things (IoT).

Read the full report here.