On the sidelines of the Mobile World Congress (MWC) Kigali 2025, the Head of State met with Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and executives from Airtel, Axian Telecom, Ethio Telecom, MTN, and Orange, members of the G6 group, an alliance of Africa’s leading mobile network operators working with the GSMA to accelerate digital transformation.
According to the Office of the President, the meetings focused on policy reforms, infrastructure investment, and environmental sustainability, aiming to bridge Africa’s digital divide and promote inclusive growth in the continent’s rapidly expanding digital economy.
Speaking earlier at the MWC Kigali 2025 opening ceremony, President Kagame called for a “bold, connected, and competitive” Africa. He urged global leaders, innovators, and policymakers to harness technology to narrow the continent’s connectivity gap and unlock its potential.
“Innovation does not belong to one part of the world alone,” Kagame said. “It can emerge anywhere from anyone given the chance.” He highlighted Africa’s rapid shift from limited connectivity to a mobile-driven economy, citing mobile money as a global model of financial inclusion empowering small businesses, women entrepreneurs, and rural communities.
President Kagame emphasised Rwanda’s vision of building a knowledge-based economy, integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into planning, research, and public service delivery to boost productivity and inclusivity. He called for harmonised policies across governments, private sectors, and partners like the African Union and Smart Africa, aiming to create a single digital market enabling secure data and payment systems across the continent.
Echoing Kagame’s vision, ICT Minister Paula Ingabire highlighted Rwanda’s digital achievements, noting that active mobile users surged from 500,000 in 2023 to 5 million 4G users by June 2025, driven by public-private partnerships and reforms to lower costs and expand infrastructure. She also showcased Rwanda’s 5G launch via MTN Rwanda, connectivity for nearly 1,000 health facilities and 4,000 schools, and training of 4.5 million citizens in digital literacy.
“The future of digital innovation in Africa will be defined by collaboration,” Minister Ingabire said, urging the development of African-designed solutions scalable globally to position the continent as a hub of digital excellence.
Vivek Badrinath, Director General of the GSMA, praised Rwanda’s leadership, noting that mobile operators now cover 99% of the country, enabling nearly 13 million connections. He highlighted the role of mobile technology in advancing education, healthcare, and financial services, while calling for urgent action on handset affordability, inclusive AI models, and energy resilience to ensure universal digital access.
The three-day event, themed “Converge, Connect and Create”, has drawn over 4,000 delegates from 109 countries. Its thought leadership programme focuses on building a connected continent, exploring AI for economic growth, advancing fintech, and showcasing Africa’s digital frontier through innovations in health, education, and entertainment.
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