Airtel Africa has urged stronger partnerships among technology stakeholders, regulators, and governments to accelerate Africa’s digital transformation anchored on artificial intelligence, data centres, and inclusive innovation.
Speaking at the Mobile World Congress (MWC25) in Kigali, Airtel Africa’s Chief Executive Officer, Sunil Taldar, said the coming decade would redefine the continent’s telecom landscape—shifting from basic connectivity to value creation through technology-driven solutions.
Taldar described the ongoing phase as Africa’s “digital decade,” noting that collaboration among operators, policymakers, investors, and innovators would be critical to ensuring that the benefits of digital growth are widely shared.
He said cooperation can help create an ecosystem where data is processed locally, talent is developed nationally, and innovation reaches global markets.
He identified artificial intelligence and data-centre infrastructure as essential pillars for Africa’s next stage of growth, explaining that new technology investments are geared toward building smarter networks, enhancing user experience, and promoting sustainability.
Declaring the conference open, Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame commended progress in Africa’s digital transformation and called for harmonised regional policies to advance innovation and cross-border collaboration.
The MWC25 Kigali gathering brought together technology leaders, innovators, and policymakers to discuss how digital tools and connectivity can power Africa’s social and economic development.
Reporting by Chioma Ezike
