Overview:
The conference, held in Addis Ababa, brought together policymakers and tech leaders from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) countries (Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda).
The Internet Society’s 2025 Internet Development Conference has concluded with key stakeholders urging policy changes to unlock Africa’s digital potential.
The conference, held in Addis Ababa, brought together policymakers and tech leaders from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) countries (Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda).
Over 250 attendees and 50 speakers, including Ethiopian government ministers and telecom regulators, discussed critical internet issues, from governance and infrastructure to digital literacy and policy.
The conference emphasized regional collaboration, digital infrastructure investment, and progressive policies for a stronger, more inclusive African internet ecosystem. Ten key policy calls to action emerged:
- Regional Collaboration: Strengthen cross-border infrastructure development, harmonize policies, and establish regional regulatory bodies.
- Infrastructure Development: Accelerate investment in internet infrastructure, expand backbone and last-mile connectivity, promote carrier-neutral data centers, and encourage infrastructure sharing.
- IXP Deployment: Support the establishment and expansion of Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) to improve local traffic routing and reduce internet costs.
- Bridging the Access Gap: Implement universal access policies and targeted subsidies to connect underserved and rural areas.
- Digital Skills and Literacy: Invest in comprehensive digital skills training programs.
- Harmonized Regulations: Harmonize regulatory frameworks and streamline bureaucratic processes.
- Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Foster a supportive environment for local content development and tech startups.
- Open Data Standards: Support open data standards for infrastructure mapping.
- Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): Leverage private sector expertise and investment.
- Connectivity Monitoring: Use data-driven tools to monitor internet performance and track progress.
These calls to action recognize that a resilient and accessible internet is vital for Africa’s development. The Internet Society’s Pulse tool shows Africa’s overall internet resilience score at 34 (a 1-point increase from 2022 to 2023), indicating more reliable access to online services. Western and Middle Africa saw the largest regional improvements (2-point increases), with East Africa also showing progress.
“While we see promising growth, challenges remain in connecting the unconnected and ensuring equitable access,” said Dawit Bekele, Regional Vice President for Africa at the Internet Society. “This conference reinforces the importance of infrastructure development and paves the way for deeper regional collaboration on internet infrastructure, regulatory advancements, and digital innovation.”