In a decisive step towards closing the continent’s widening digital divide, ICT ministers and heads of delegation across Africa have formally adopted the ‘2026 Abuja Declaration on Meaningful Connectivity for Africa.’
The agreement, reached during the seventh ordinary session of the conference of plenipotentiaries of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) in Abuja, commits member states to prioritising internet access in rural, remote, and underserved regions.
The adoption comes against the backdrop of stark global disparities in digital technology access.
While global internet penetration continues to expand rapidly, Africa remains significantly behind other continents, creating severe economic and social barriers for millions of its citizens.
A statement from the member states drew attention to the sharp global contrast in connectivity. Signed by Bosun Tijani, minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, who takes over the chairperson’s role for Nigeria, the statement says that members were “mindful of the fact that global internet usage has reached approximately 68 percent, and as high as 94 percent in high-income regions, but internet penetration in Africa stands at just over 38 percent, the lowest among all ITU regions.” Related News INEC moves Osun PVC deadline to July 31 to curb disenfranchisement Southwest Universities to incorporate climate change into courses Nigeria’s SEC begins full e-registration for capital market services
