Bridging Sectors and Building Futures: ITU’s Calls For Collaborative Regulations for Africa

Collaborative Regulations for a Digital Africa

Manasseh highlighted the importance of collaborative regulations that bring together policymakers, regulators, and service providers. By coordinating efforts at the table, African countries can build a more sustainable digital ecosystem, promoting connectivity, affordability, and innovation. He emphasized the value of evidence-based decision-making, leveraging data to inform regulatory reforms and align them with market realities.

Connectivity as the Foundation of Digital Development 

According to Manasseh, connectivity underpins Africa’s digital economy and is essential for the effective deployment of AI, digital health, and other transformative technologies. He noted the role of telco operators and the broader mobile industry in driving digital health solutions, including AI applications for combating non-communicable diseases. Partnerships between ITU, the World Health Organization, and other stakeholders are crucial to scaling these interventions.

Partnerships Across Sectors

Manasseh stressed that sustainable digital transformation requires collaboration across sectors. Energy, ICT, transportation, and utility regulators must coordinate to ensure infrastructure and services are integrated effectively. Partnerships involving governments, private sector players, investors, and UN agencies are necessary to create an environment where digital innovation can multiply benefits across multiple sectors.

“If there’s no partnership, there’s no sustainability. Because, as we see and hear at this Mobile World Congress, digital is enabling other sectors. If there’s no connectivity, there’s no AI. If there’s no AI, the economy of AI we’re talking about does not exist. If there’s no connectivity, there’s no digital economy. Partnership and collaboration are key. Regulators need to sit down together—energy, ICT, utilities, transportation—to pave the way. All stakeholders, including the private sector, governments, investors, and UN agencies, must come together to create partnerships that can drive sustainable digital transformation with a multiplying effect across all sectors.”

– Dr. Emmanuel Manasseh, Regional Director for Africa,  International Telecommunication Union (ITU) 

Addressing Barriers to Action

Despite momentum at events like MWC Kigali, Manasseh identified vertical regulation as a persistent barrier. Many sectors operate in silos, limiting cross-sector coordination. Horizontal, collaborative approaches are needed to ensure that regulatory frameworks are aligned and can drive sustainable outcomes.

Next Steps for Africa’s Digital Growth

Manasseh called for continued collaboration and partnership between regulators and industry stakeholders. He stressed the need for data-driven decisions that reflect African market realities, emphasizing that sustainable, informed action will maintain the continent’s digital momentum over the next 12 months and beyond.