By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
International
Telecommunication Union (ITU) Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin has called
for renewed efforts to address Africa’s digital divide, stressing the need for
supportive policies, affordable access and expanded digital skills development.
Speaking at the 7th Ordinary
Session of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) Conference of
Plenipotentiaries (CPL-26), Bogdan-Martin highlighted the significant
opportunities presented by Africa’s digital future while noting that millions
of people across the continent are still unable to fully benefit from digital
technologies.
She said closing the digital
gap requires a combination of enabling policy and regulatory frameworks,
affordable connectivity and investment in digital capacity building to ensure
that more people can participate in the digital economy.
The ITU Secretary-General
emphasised the importance of collaboration among governments, regulators,
industry stakeholders and international partners to accelerate inclusive
digital transformation across Africa.
Her remarks at the ATU
conference come as African telecommunications leaders gather to discuss
strategic priorities for the continent’s digital ecosystem, including
connectivity expansion, innovation, digital inclusion and regulatory
cooperation.
Bogdan-Martin reaffirmed the
ITU’s commitment to working with African stakeholders to support efforts aimed
at ensuring that digital opportunities reach all communities across the
continent.
