AFC Highlights Five-Point Agenda to Tackle Africa’s Digital Access Gaps

The Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) , in collaboration with its partners, has released the State of Africa’s Infrastructure Report 2025,  placing a strong spotlight on digital infrastructure as a key pillar of the continent’s economic transformation. The report underscores the continent’s growing commitment to digital infrastructure as a cornerstone of inclusive development and economic transformation.

The report highlights growing investment in critical digital assets—including subsea cables, terrestrial fiber networks, regional data centers, and Internet Exchange Points (IXPs)—which are essential for building digital sovereignty, enabling cloud services, and expanding Africa’s participation in the global digital economy.

Despite these advances, a significant rural–urban digital divide persists. Many rural areas remain disconnected or underserved, limiting access to the opportunities of the digital age. The report emphasizes that addressing this gap is central to achieving true digital inclusion across the continent.

The AFC outlines five priority actions to advance Africa’s digital agenda and ensure inclusive growth:

• Target rural connectivity gaps — Narrowing the rural–urban divide is the single biggest lever to reduce Africa’s internet access deficit, especially in countries where rural populations exceed 60–70%.
• Scale infrastructure investment — Africa expands its fibre backbone and last-mile connectivity through greater public–private investment and infrastructure sharing.
• Roll out a phased liberalisation of digital markets — A well-calibrated opening of telecom sectors to competition and foreign investment can rapidly accelerate network coverage, as seen in Ethiopia’s post-monopoly surge.
• Harmonise digital policy — Coordinated legislation on data sovereignty, protection, and interoperability is essential to unlock private capital and scale.
• Boost digital skills and DPI — Investing in digital literacy and public digital infrastructure (like e-ID and payments) will drive inclusion, job creation, and productivity.

These insights align with broader momentum on the continent, including the World Bank Group’s recent $100 million investment in Raxio Group to expand data centers in countries like Ethiopia, Angola, and Uganda—helping localize data, improve cybersecurity, and lower service costs.

Ultimately, the report makes clear that digital infrastructure is not just about connectivity—it’s about enabling inclusive growth, innovation, and long-term competitiveness. With coordinated investment and policy reform, Africa has the opportunity to build a digitally empowered future for all.