The GSMA Africa (Groupe Speciale Mobile Association) team led impactful conversations with business executives on Monday at Mobile World Congress (MWC) Barcelona, to discuss the major hurdles assailing Africa’s digital future.
The MWC is an international trade exhibition hosted annually by the GSMA where leaders, inventors, and specialists from the mobile technology sector converge to present the newest developments in the mobile ecosystem.
The world’s biggest and most significant connectivity event is taking place at Barcelona’s Fira Gran Via from March 3–6, 2025. The event’s theme this year is “Converge. Connect. Create,” emphasising how people, technology, and ideas intertwine to influence future societies and enterprises.
Airtel, MTN, Vodacom, others’ commitment to advance Africa’s digital transformation
At the event, which started on Monday, the CEOs of AXIAN Group, Vodacom, MTN, Orange, Ethio Telecom, and Airtel Africa reaffirmed their commitment to advancing Africa’s digital revolution.
The Africa Group of Six (G6) Mobile Network Operators’ gathering in Barcelona represents a critical turning point to fast-track the continent’s digital transformation.
Its ability to drive significant progress in fiscal policy reforms, broadband infrastructure investment, and environmental sustainability through strategic partnerships, data-driven insights, and creative solutions reaffirms its commitment to collaborating with all stakeholders to meet Africa’s socioeconomic and digital development objectives.
The purpose of MWC Barcelona 2025
The purpose of the meeting organised by GSMA Africa is to assess advancements, exchange perspectives, and map out future steps to accelerate digital transformation throughout Africa.
In order to bridge the connection gap and open up new business prospects for the continent, they are spearheading action through strategic alliances, regulatory lobbying, and sustainable solutions.
The GSMA Africa organised a roundtable on Universal Service Fund (USF) reforms in partnership with the African Telecommunications Union (ATU), including subjects such as transparent fund management, smart project selection, and well-defined goals. Many USFs are still underutilised, despite efforts to close the 60 percent mobile internet usage gap in Africa.
The GDP might increase by $700 billion by 2030, thus reforms must be implemented immediately.
The GSMA noted that they are choosing one market per sub-region to test revolutionary USF reforms that will have a significant impact through regional deep dives.
Closing digital divide through strategic cooperation
In order to reduce costs and improve connection, they also worked with government delegations and Ghanaian mobile network operators, concentrating on bridging the investment gap, reducing the digital divide, and coordinating energy access with broadband infrastructure.
The GSMA emphasised that in order to create an inclusive and interconnected Africa, stakeholders must keep cooperating.
The digital transformation of Africa is about more than just connectivity; it’s about opening doors for economic growth, healthcare, education, and financial inclusion. Initiatives from the GSMA and G6 are essential to making sure that nobody is left behind in the digital revolution.