AIRTEL AFRICA PUSHES FOR COLLABORATION IN BUILDING AFRICA’S DIGITAL FUTURE

Kigali, 21 October 2025: Airtel Africa, one of the continent’s leading providers of telecommunications and mobile money services, has underscored the importance of partnerships, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and data centres as key enablers of Africa’s digital transformation.

Speaking at MWC25 Kigali, Airtel Africa CEO Sunil Taldar said the next decade will mark a shift in Africa’s telecom journey — from merely connecting people to empowering them to create and capture value through digital connections.

“Africa’s digital decade has begun,” said Taldar. “The continent that once leapfrogged into mobile telephony is now ready to leap again — into an era where every byte of data fuels productivity and every connection builds prosperity.”

He emphasized that Africa’s next leap “from access to productivity” will require collaboration among all stakeholders — including telecom operators, technology manufacturers, regulators, investors, and innovators.

“Together we can build a continent where data is processed locally, talent is nurtured nationally, and innovation is scaled globally,” he added.

Taldar also highlighted the crucial role of AI and data centres in driving this digital future, saying they will make networks smarter, enhance customer experiences, and ensure secure and intuitive mobile money services.

Airtel Africa is currently investing in major data centre hubs in Nigeria and Kenya to strengthen Africa’s digital infrastructure. The company is also applying AI in its operations for SMS spam detection, customer onboarding, fraud prevention, and energy optimization across network sites.

The MWC25 Kigali event, which brings together industry leaders, innovators, and policymakers from across the world, focuses on how connectivity and digital technologies are accelerating Africa’s transformation.

In his opening remarks, Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame commended Africa’s progress from limited connectivity to a mobile-driven economy.

“While the challenges Africa faces are significant, they also offer immense growth potential if we collaborate,” said President Kagame. “Governments, the private sector, and partners must harmonize policies and create the right environment for innovation. The future we must build is an Africa that is bold, connected, and competitive.”