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Eleven African nations are set to receive a share of a $16.2 million project aimed at establishing National Broadband Mapping Systems. The announcement was made during the recent Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR-24) hosted by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Kampala, Uganda.
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Funded by the European Commission, this initiative will develop broadband mapping systems across participating countries, including Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The project will help identify critical gaps in internet access, such as coverage, quality, and affordability.
The ITU stated that the collected data will be instrumental in “enabling data-driven decision-making for investments in digital infrastructure,” ultimately fostering Africa’s digital transformation.
Alongside the broadband mapping project announcement, African regulators endorsed a new set of guidelines designed to maximize the benefits of transformative information and communication technologies (ICTs). These “GSR-24 Best Practice Guidelines” address the need to balance innovation with effective regulation, considering emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and aiming to create a positive impact on societies and economies.
ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin emphasized the importance of innovation, trust, and inclusivity in policymaking.
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 pressing issues in the field of digital regulation.
