Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda, has called for stronger continental collaboration to close Africa’s digital divide and unlock the continent’s potential as a global innovation hub, warning that technology designed to empower people could instead deepen inequality if access remains uneven.
Kagame pushed for African nations and the private sector to forge stronger continental collaboration to bridge the digital divide and position the continent as a global innovation hub while speaking today at the opening of MWC Kigali 2025—to be held from 21–23 October 2025 at the Kigali Convention Centre in Rwanda—warning that technological advances intended to empower could instead exacerbate inequality if access is uneven.
The Rwandan leader says Africa’s digital future depends on collective action among governments, the private sector, and development partners to harmonise policies, secure cross-border data flows, and build a single African digital market.
“What began as a solution for those excluded from formal banking has grown into a global model of financial inclusion,” he says. “It has empowered small businesses and women entrepreneurs while linking rural communities to the broader economy.”
“If this gap persists, the same technology meant to expand access will instead widen inequality,” Kagame cautioned.
Kagame highlighted Africa’s rapid digital transformation—from limited connectivity to a mobile-driven economy—citing mobile money as one of the continent’s most transformative innovations.
“What began as a solution for those excluded from formal banking has grown into a global model of financial inclusion,” he says. “It has empowered small businesses and women entrepreneurs while linking rural communities to the broader economy.”
Kagame says the success of mobile money demonstrates that “innovation does not belong to one part of the world alone—it can emerge anywhere, from anyone, given the chance.”
However, he emphasised that the next phase of Africa’s digital revolution must focus on inclusion by equipping citizens with the digital skills and tools needed to participate in the knowledge economy.
“The most important conversation we should have is about people and how digital skills and tools can reach everyone,” he said.
Outlining Rwanda’s national strategy, Kagame says the country is integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into public planning, prioritising research, and investing in human capital to boost productivity and improve public services.
He also commended the African Union (AU), regional blocs, and Smart Africa for driving cross-border cooperation to reduce costs, eliminate barriers, and promote digital integration across the continent.
“Such cooperation will scale African solutions globally while retaining their value here,” Kagame noted.
Closing his address, Kagame urged African leaders, investors, and innovators to envision and work toward “an Africa that is bold, connected, and competitive.”
The MWC Kigali 2025 brings together policymakers, industry leaders, and innovators from across Africa and beyond to explore opportunities shaping the continent’s digital transformation.
The event is the continent’s major connectivity-and-technology gathering, organised by the GSMA in partnership with Rwanda’s Ministry of ICT & Innovation focusing on themes like: Connected Continent, The AI Future, FinTech, and Africa’s Digital Frontier.
The event is attracting over 230 confirmed speakers, from senior-level executives to policymakers, and will attract more than 3,400 attendees from 90+ countries, involving 1,400+ firms, according to GSMA.
Outlining the market opportunity, GSMA estimates that the mobile ecosystem in Sub-Saharan Africa supports 1.5 million jobs directly and 2.2 million in associated sectors (2023) and 5G is expected to contribute US$10 billion to the region’s economy by 2030.
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