Closing Africa’s Connectivity Gap Now Continental Priority -Tijani

Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, has declared that closing Africa’s connectivity and usage gap, particularly in rural, remote and underserved communities, is now an urgent continental priority following the adoption of the 2026 Abuja Declaration on Meaningful Connectivity for Africa.

Tijani, who assumed the chairmanship of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU), made the declaration after ICT ministers and heads of delegation from across Africa adopted the agreement at the Seventh Ordinary Session of the Conference of Plenipotentiaries of the ATU in Abuja.

According to the declaration signed by the minister on behalf of member states, Africa continues to lag behind other regions in internet access despite steady global growth in digital connectivity.

The declaration noted that while global internet usage has reached about 68 per cent and as high as 94 per cent in high-income regions, internet penetration in Africa stands at just over 38 per cent, the lowest among all International Telecommunication Union (ITU) regions.

Tijani said member states had affirmed the need for coordinated action to bridge the continent’s digital divide through expanded infrastructure, increased digital adoption and improved access to affordable connectivity.

He said the declaration commits African countries to prioritise internet access in rural, remote and underserved communities as part of efforts to drive inclusive economic growth and digital transformation.

The ministers also called for stronger collaboration with development partners, the private sector and civil society organisations to mobilise investment and accelerate implementation of connectivity projects across the continent.

The declaration further aligns member states’ commitments with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa, which seek to expand digital inclusion and strengthen Africa’s participation in the global digital economy.