GSMA Honors the Abuja Declaration and Launches ATLAS Umoja for Africa's Connectivity

GSMA's Commitment to Africa's Digital Future

The GSMA has recently voiced its strong support for the Abuja Declaration on meaningful connectivity, which was endorsed by ministers and delegation heads during the 2026 African Telecommunications Union (ATU) plenipotentiary conference. This declaration signifies a critical step towards shaping Africa's digital landscape, paving the way for data-driven policies, investment growth, and regional cooperation.

The Abuja Declaration calls upon African governments to implement proactive strategies aimed at promoting meaningful connectivity, ensuring digital inclusion, building resilient digital infrastructures, and creating regulations that are technology-neutral. Furthermore, it encourages these entities to collaborate with each other and industry partners to address the connectivity and usage gaps present across the continent.

In alignment with these ambitions, the GSMA, in partnership with several organizations, has announced the launch of ATLAS Umoja AI. This groundbreaking, pan-African initiative focuses on enhancing collaboration in artificial intelligence using African languages. Notable supporters of this initiative include the Nigerian Ministry of Communications, Kenya's Ministry of Information, Communication and Digital Economy, Namibia's Ministry of Information and Communication Technology, Togo's Ministry of Digital Economy and Transformation, and Benin's Ministry of Digital Transformation and Innovation, alongside tech enterprises like Awarri, Zindi, Pawa AI, and Mozisha.

ATLAS Umoja is designed to augment national AI programs by facilitating the sharing of expertise, datasets, and best practices among governments, researchers, and industry leaders. The objective is to cultivate reliable and scalable AI applications that authentically represent Africa's diverse languages, cultures, and developmental priorities.

This initiative is a direct response to the momentum generated by the recently established Global Commission on AI for Good. Ministers from Nigeria, Namibia, and Togo, who are active members of this commission, have pledged their support for ATLAS Umoja, illustrating the dedication to translating global commitments into meaningful regional collaborations.

Angela Wamola, the GSMA's Head of Africa, emphasized, “The future of AI in Africa must reflect the languages, communities, and developmental priorities that are unique to the continent. By providing AI and digital services in languages relevant to everyday life, ATLAS Umoja will help surmount two significant barriers to internet adoption: digital culture and the availability of locally relevant content. This will support initiatives aimed at bridging the digital divide in Africa, thus extending meaningful connectivity across the continent.”

Moreover, throughout the ATU conference, GSMA engaged policymakers on the necessity of adapting regulatory frameworks to future needs, particularly focusing on satellite connectivity, spectrum policy, and technology-neutral licensing. These discussions contribute to the essential strategic measures required to broaden access to meaningful connectivity and speed up Africa's digital transformation.

As Africa continues to evolve, the GSMA's commitment, along with initiatives like ATLAS Umoja, holds promise for a connected continent that thrives on inclusivity, innovation, and collaboration. The goals set forth by the Abuja Declaration and the subsequent actions to support its implementation ensure a brighter digital future for nations throughout Africa.