#GSMA #MOBILE WORLD CONGRESS #Rwanda #Kigali

Mobile World Congress 2025: A pivotal moment for Africa's Digital Transformation

The Mobile World Congress 2025 (MWC 25) has officially kicked off in Kigali, Rwanda, drawing together tech leaders, innovators, and policymakers from across Africa and beyond. As the continent stands on the brink of a significant digital revolution, this year's event shines a spotlight on the essential political reforms necessary to harness the power of mobile technology for inclusive growth and advancement across the region.

A Call to Action

The discussions at MWC 25 are centered on how the mobile sector can be a catalyst for economic expansion and innovation within Africa. Key topics include enhancing mobile device accessibility, promoting inclusive artificial intelligence (AI) language models, and ensuring energy resilience. These areas have been identified by the GSMA as urgent priorities that demand bold legislative actions and substantial investments to realize Africa's digital potential.

Vivek Badrinath, the GSMA's CEO, emphasized the dynamism of Africa’s mobile communications landscape and outlined the persistent challenges that need addressing. The significant barriers include:

• - High mobile device costs
• - Energy availability issues
• - Lack of inclusive AI solutions

Badrinath stated, “Through collaboration between governments, industries, and development partners, we can make digital inclusion affordable, sustainable, and relevant for every African.” His comments set the tone for a conference that proposes not just discussions, but actionable plans for advancing digital transformation.

The Role of the Rwandan Government

For the third consecutive year, Rwandan President Paul Kagame has inaugurated the congress. His participation underscores Rwanda's commitment to leading the digital agenda of the African continent. Over the next three days, attendees are expected to engage in numerous conferences and panels designed to foster cross-sector collaboration.

Insights from the GSMA Mobile Economy Africa Report 2025

A key highlight of MWC 25 was the release of the GSMA Mobile Economy Africa 2025 report, detailing how mobile connectivity fuels economic growth and fosters innovation. The report reveals some striking statistics:

• - The mobile sector contributed $220 billion to Africa's economy in 2024, representing 7.7% of GDP, with projections reaching $270 billion by 2030.
• - Approximately 8 million jobs have been directly and indirectly supported by the mobile ecosystem.
• - Currently, 416 million people in Africa are using mobile internet, with expectations that this figure will rise to 576 million by 2030.
• - The adoption of 4G technology will see an increase from 45% to 54%, while 5G connections are expected to grow from 2% to 21% within the same period.
• - Despite low coverage gaps, a staggering 960 million people lack access to mobile services, primarily in Sub-Saharan Africa.

These insights underline the critical role that mobile communications play not only in economic contributions but also in bridging the digital divide. As outlined in the report, between 2024 and 2030, operators are projected to invest $77 billion into new network infrastructures, anticipated to generate revenue of $79 billion by 2030.

Looking Ahead

As MWC 25 unfolds, it becomes clear that Africa's digital future hinges on the ability of stakeholders to navigate these challenges effectively. The potential for mobile technology to foster economic inclusion and growth is immense, but it requires a concerted effort from all parties involved: governments, industry leaders, and the public sector.
The calls for political reform echoed during this congress are not just for today; they are essential for a brighter, more connected future for Africa.

As the conference progresses, the world will be watching how Africa positions itself during this crucial transition into a digitally empowered continent.