Digital societies in Asia Pacific: harnessing emerging technologies to advance digital nations

Over the past decade, mobile operators in Africa have invested significantly to expand network coverage and capacity. Despite this investment, the region has not seen the same level of growth in the adoption and use of mobile internet. To help address this, in 2024, the GSMA launched the first Digital Africa Index (DAI). This provides a comprehensive assessment that helps countries in Africa understand how advanced they are in integrating digital technologies into their societies and economies. It also offers guidance on the interventions required to accelerate growth. This report accompanies the launch of the third edition of the Digital Africa Index.

Africa has expanded mobile broadband coverage significantly, but a substantial connectivity gap remains. This report examines how spectrum availability, pricing and licensing conditions affect operators’ ability to expand coverage, improve network quality and support digital adoption. It provides a comprehensive assessment of Africa’s current spectrum policy and licensing landscape, highlighting key challenges around spectrum assignments, pricing, licence obligations, technology neutrality, spectrum roadmaps and licence duration.

Closing Africa’s connectivity gap will require coordinated action by governments, the private sector, development partners, civil society and other stakeholders to overcome persistent barriers to digital inclusion. This study provides evidence-based analysis of the structural and demand-side constraints that limit connectivity. It assesses existing digital inclusion initiatives and identifies opportunities to strengthen the ability and motivation of underserved groups to adopt and use internet services.