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Eleven African nations are poised to benefit from a $16.2 million project designed to establish National Broadband Mapping Systems. This initiative was announced at the recent Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR-24), hosted by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Kampala, Uganda.
Funded by the European Commission, the project aims to develop comprehensive broadband mapping systems in participating countries, which include Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The primary objective is to identify and address critical gaps in internet access, encompassing aspects such as coverage, quality, and affordability.
The ITU emphasized that the data collected through this initiative will be crucial for “enabling data-driven decision-making for investments in digital infrastructure,” thereby accelerating Africa’s digital transformation.
In conjunction with the broadband mapping project announcement, African regulators endorsed a new set of guidelines aimed at maximizing the benefits of transformative information and communication technologies (ICTs). These “GSR-24 Best Practice Guidelines” focus on balancing innovation with effective regulation, taking into account emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) to positively impact societies and economies.
ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin highlighted the significance of innovation, trust, and inclusivity in the policymaking process.
The Global Symposium for Regulators, organized by the ITU, brought together over 600 participants, including government ministers, regulatory leaders, industry executives, and academics, to discuss critical issues in digital regulation.
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