Kigali, Rwanda — October 22, 2025 — The second day of the Mobile World Congress (MWC) Kigali 2025 opened this morning with major announcements shaping Africa’s digital transformation. The event, hosted at the Kigali Convention Centre, has drawn thousands of delegates from across the continent and beyond, positioning Rwanda once again as a regional hub for technology and innovation. The GSMA, which organizes the congress, emphasized this year’s theme — “Connected Continent: The AI Future” — as a call for inclusive and sustainable growth through connectivity.
One of the most significant developments came early this morning as the GSMA and leading African operators unveiled a joint initiative to define minimum technical requirements for affordable 4G smartphones. The goal is to make mobile internet access more attainable for millions still offline. “Access to a smartphone is not a luxury — it is a lifeline to essential services, income opportunities and participation in the digital economy,” said Vivek Badrinath, Director General of the GSMA, during the launch. The proposal includes collaboration with governments to remove import taxes and tariffs on low-cost smartphones priced below US $100, a move experts say could accelerate digital inclusion across Sub-Saharan Africa.
In another morning keynote, MTN Group CEO Ralph Mupita urged policymakers to rethink outdated telecom laws. He warned that many regulations across the continent remain “designed for the voice era” and must evolve to reflect today’s data-driven economies. “We need a clear roadmap towards digital Africa — the digital societies we want — and then build regulation and frameworks from there,” Mupita said to a packed auditorium. His remarks drew applause from industry leaders who argue that a more flexible and innovation-friendly environment is essential to attract investment in 5G networks and AI-driven infrastructure.
The GSMA also launched its latest Mobile Economy Africa 2025 report, revealing that the mobile sector contributed about US $220 billion to Africa’s GDP in 2024, equivalent to 7.7 percent of the continent’s economy. The report forecasts that the figure could reach US $270 billion by 2030, driven largely by AI integration, fintech growth, and network expansion. However, it also highlights a stark digital divide: nearly 960 million Africans have mobile broadband coverage but are not yet using it, mainly due to affordability barriers and digital literacy gaps. The report urges coordinated public-private partnerships to close this usage gap.
Technology firms are responding swiftly. Ericsson, Huawei, and regional operators such as Airtel Africa are showcasing new solutions tailored for African markets, including 5G fixed wireless access (FWA) for rural connectivity and AI-based network optimization tools. Ericsson’s Sub-Saharan Africa Vice President noted that “5G and AI are no longer distant goals — they are the backbone of Africa’s digital transformation.” Demonstrations across the exhibition floor illustrate how connectivity and automation can power smart agriculture, logistics, and e-health solutions unique to the region’s challenges.
As the conference continues, attention turns to tomorrow’s Africa Innovation Awards, where startups will be recognized for breakthrough projects in mobile fintech, health tech, and renewable-energy solutions. Angela Wamola, GSMA’s Head of Sub-Saharan Africa, summarized the spirit of the event: “Africa’s strength lies in its young innovators, and MWC Kigali gives them a global platform.” With policy debates, product showcases, and investment pledges converging in Kigali this week, MWC Kigali 2025 is not only a showcase of technology but a declaration of Africa’s readiness to define its digital destiny.
