Pan-African Parliament Deepens Global Partnerships to Accelerate Africa’s Digital Transformation

The Pan-African Parliament (PAP) has emerged as a prominent voice at the Mobile World Congress 2025 (MWC25) in Kigali, positioning itself at the center of Africa’s digital transformation drive. The continental legislature, led by H.E. Chief Fortune Charumbira, advanced new strategic partnerships aimed at closing Africa’s digital divide and ensuring that digital technologies become catalysts for inclusive growth, innovation, and good governance.

PAP and ITU Explore Synergies on Digital Transformation

During the connectivity summit, President Charumbira held his first-ever meeting with Ms. Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) — the United Nations specialized agency for information and communication technologies (ICTs). The meeting marked the beginning of a new dialogue between Africa’s Parliament and the UN’s leading digital agency.

Both leaders were accompanied by their respective delegations as they discussed the complementarities of their mandates and the shared goal of promoting meaningful connectivity and digital inclusion across the continent.

According to the joint statement, the two organizations “explored potential synergies in digital transformation, which is vital for driving economic prosperity, job creation, skills development, gender equality, and socio-economic inclusion.”

The ITU and PAP agreed to develop innovative partnerships to extend digital access to underserved communities, strengthen collaboration on ICT governance frameworks, and align Africa’s digital transformation agenda with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In recognition of the Parliament’s growing role in shaping Africa’s digital future, the ITU Secretary-General was invited to address the next Plenary Session of the Pan-African Parliament, a symbolic gesture underscoring the shared vision of empowering African citizens through technology.

Formal MoU with GSMA: A Framework for Legislative Action

In a parallel development, the Pan-African Parliament and the GSM Association (GSMA) (which represents mobile operators and the broader digital ecosystem globally) formalized their collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

The agreement was signed by President Charumbira and Ms. Angela Wamola, GSMA Head of Africa, on the sidelines of MWC25, which brought together governments, industry leaders, innovators, and investors under one roof in Kigali.

The MoU sets out a framework for cooperation between PAP and GSMA to advance human rights, democracy, good governance, and digital transformation through legislative and policy engagement. It particularly supports the implementation of African Union instruments on digital rights, data protection, and cybersecurity.

Key commitments under the agreement include:

• Joint sessions with national parliaments to deliberate on technology-related challenges and opportunities;
• Follow-up on PAP resolutions concerning digital policy and governance;
• High-level forums and leadership dialogues on the intersection of governance and digital transformation; and
• Collaboration on Model Laws and studies on artificial intelligence (AI), digital inclusion, and data governance.

The partnership also envisions mutual support during official missions and the joint promotion of initiatives that build digital literacy, trust, and capacity among African policymakers.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, President Charumbira reaffirmed PAP’s commitment to “ensuring that Africa’s digital transformation is people-centered, inclusive, and guided by values of equity and transparency.” He emphasized that digital governance should be rooted in Africa’s own legal and institutional frameworks, aligning technology growth with democratic oversight.

For her part, Ms. Wamola noted that GSMA’s collaboration with PAP “underscores the importance of parliamentary leadership in shaping the policies and laws that will enable Africa’s digital economy to flourish.”

A Continental Parliament at the Heart of Digital Policy

The Pan-African Parliament’s engagements with both ITU and GSMA signal a new era of institutional diplomacy and policy influence within the digital ecosystem. As Africa navigates rapid technological change, the continental legislature is asserting its role in ensuring that innovation goes hand in hand with accountability, inclusion, and sustainable development.

Both partnerships reflect PAP’s commitment to bridging the digital divide and reinforcing Africa’s position as a global player in the emerging data-driven economy.

From advancing AI governance frameworks to promoting digital literacy and connectivity, these alliances reaffirm that the future of Africa’s transformation will be powered not just by technology but by visionary policy, cooperation, and inclusive governance.