Africa is on the brink of a significant digital transformation. By 2030, Sub-Saharan Africa is projected to generate 230 million digital jobs, driven by the rapid expansion of digital services. However, millions of young Africans remain disconnected due to a lack of opportunity. This digital divide must be addressed to unlock the continent’s full potential.
Bridging the Digital Divide in Africa
In 2024, internet penetration in Africa reached 40%, up from 3.2% in 2005. Over 600 million people on the continent now use mobile broadband internet. Despite this progress, more than 900 million people remain offline, and 76% face a “usage gap.” They live in network-covered areas but lack the means or skills to access digital services. In rural areas, access is only 28%.
Bridging the digital divide is both a social and economic imperative. Digitalization democratizes access to education, health, financial services, and markets. It reduces inequality, empowers communities, and creates millions of jobs. The arrival of international submarine cables and mobile broadband internet has already expanded labour force participation and raised incomes in several African countries. The spillover effects on agriculture, industry, and tourism can be profoundly transformative.
Real-World Successes in Digital Transformation
In West and Central Africa, there are many real-world successes. In Benin, for example, over 250 public services are now accessible online. Sixty-eight municipalities have been connected tofibrer optics, and mobile coverage reaches 92% of the territory. Community-based training programs have helped thousands of people learn digital skills. Awa, a high school student, can now access online learning and mentorship platforms, opening opportunities for herself and her community in education, entrepreneurship, and citizenship.
These successes should not be exceptions; they must become the norm across the region to strengthen digital inclusion sustainably. Despite growing coverage, nearly 700 million Africans still do not use the internet. Access alone is not enough. We need to make data affordable, services relevant, and strengthen digital education.
Leveraging AI in Africa
The African AI market, estimated to be worth $2 billion by 2025, is driven by startups and the adoption of optimisation applications and consumer-facing services. However, the goal must be not only adoption but also adaptation and creation. Ethical and local solutions, tailored to African needs, are already emerging. Benin is deploying AI in agriculture, health, education, and public services, including a Fon language speech recognition model to improve access for rural and elderly populations. Many innovations are underway in African countries, illustrating the continent’s dynamism and potential in digital technologies.
To amplify these innovations, investments in STEM education, basic infrastructure, and enabling regulatory frameworks are needed. The African Union’s Digital Transformation Strategy (2020–2030) outlines a roadmap toward a harmonised digital marketplace, unlocking the potential of e-commerce, cross-border payments, and digital exchanges. Africa’s e-commerce market, estimated to be worth over $50 billion in 2024, is expected to grow by at least 10% annually. Realising this potential requires regional connectivity, cross-border data flows, interoperable platforms, and supportive regulations, including cybersecurity and data protection.
Building a Vibrant Digital Ecosystem for Jobs and Growth
The Cotonou summit, held on November 17-18, 2025, in Benin, is an opportunity to renew our commitment to inclusive digital progress. This includes closing the digital divide, developing AI capabilities, and creating digital jobs in West and Central Africa through accelerated digitisation and deeper regional integration. These are ambitious but achievable goals. Through collective action, we can build an inclusive, innovative, and resilient digital future. Governments and their partners, including the World Bank, the private sector, and civil society, are forging new partnerships and mobilising investments, including through digital compacts.
The summit will ensure that everyone has a voice: governments to lead on needed reforms, the private sector to invest in innovation and infrastructure, and youth to be creative and resilient. Let’s seize this moment to accelerate digital transformation and move forward with each step of the way. The continent’s future is digital, shaped by AI. Let’s build it together for our sub-region.
