The digital future of Africa depends on industry partnerships, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data centres, the chief executive of Airtel Africa Plc, Mr Sunil Taldar, has submitted.
In his keynote address at the MWC25 Kigali, he said, “Africa’s digital future needs AI to make networks smarter and greener, customer experiences more intuitive and mobile money more secure and intuitive. It will also require a connected network of data centres linked by high-capacity fibre to unlock inclusive digital participation even in remote regions.”
Mr Taldar posited that working together would shape the next decade of Africa’s telecom revolution, marking a shift from merely connecting people to enabling them to create value through such connections.
“Africa’s digital decade has begun. The continent that once leapfrogged into mobile telephony is now ready to leap again- into an era where every byte of data fuels productivity and every connection builds prosperity,” he stated.
“Africa is ready for its next leap from access to productivity. This requires partnership — between operators who co-build, technology manufactures who equip, regulators who enable, investors who believe, tax regimes which support and young Africans who create.
“Together we can build a continent where data is processed locally, talent is nurtured nationally, and innovation is scaled globally,” Mr Taldar added.
He informed participants of the event attended by the President of Rwanda, Mr Paul Kagame, that, “Airtel Africa is investing in major data-centre hubs in Nigeria and Kenya to support the continent’s digital future. We are also deploying AI in operations, including SMS spam detection, customer onboarding, mobile money fraud detection and sites’ energy optimisation.”
In his speech, Mr Kagame noted that Africa has gone from limited connectivity to a mobile-driven economy in a few years.
“While the challenges that Africa faces are significant, they also offer great growth potential if we collaborate. Governments, the private sector and other partners should harmonise policies and create the right environment for innovation.
“This will enable our data and payment systems to flow securely across borders and connect our economies. The future we must build is an Africa that is bold, connected and competitive.”
Business Post gathered that this year’s edition of the annual forum, the flagship mobile industry and technology event of GSMA, explores how connectivity and digital technologies are accelerating Africa’s transformation. It brought together industry leaders, innovators and policymakers.