GSMA Backs African Digital Future With Meaningful Connectivity Declaration and AI Initiative
The GSMA has announced its support for the Abuja Declaration, an agreement aimed at improving meaningful connectivity across Africa. Alongside the declaration, the GSMA and partners launched ATLAS Umoja AI to foster AI collaboration in African languages.
The GSMA is supporting the Abuja Ministerial Declaration on Meaningful Connectivity for Africa, adopted at the International Telecommunication Union's plenipotentiary conference. The declaration commits African governments to implementing policies that promote digital inclusion, resilient infrastructure, and technology-neutral regulation to bridge connectivity gaps.
To support these goals, the GSMA and several partners have launched ATLAS Umoja AI, a new pan-African initiative designed to strengthen collaboration in artificial intelligence (AI) development using African languages. Participating entities include ministries from Benin, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, and Togo, along with tech companies such as Awarri, Zindi, Pawa AI, and Mozisha.
ATLAS Umoja AI aims to foster the development of reliable and scalable AI that better reflects African languages, cultures, and development priorities. It will serve as a platform for governments, researchers, and industry stakeholders to share expertise, datasets, and best practices. This initiative aligns with the global AI for Good mission.
GSMA also engaged with policymakers on future-ready regulatory frameworks, including satellite connectivity and spectrum policy. These efforts are considered crucial steps toward expanding access to meaningful connectivity and accelerating Africa's digital transformation across the continent.