Eastern Africa Unites for a Connected Future Through Spectrum Harmonisation
In Kigali, Rwanda, October 2025 marked a defining moment for digital transformation in Eastern Africa. Leaders and experts from nine countries convened for the Joint Spectrum Management and Knowledge Exchange Workshop, ahead of the Mobile World Congress (MWC) Africa 2025. Together, they took decisive steps to harmonise spectrum management, the invisible foundation of modern connectivity, and to fast-track the region’s vision for a Single Digital Market.
Organised under the Eastern Africa Regional Digital Integration Project (EARDIP) with support from the World Bank, the East African Community (EAC) and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) led the discussions alongside partners from GSMA, ITU, EACO, and Smart Africa. The goal: to align national policies, strengthen regional coordination, and make affordable broadband a reality for all.
“Spectrum is the oxygen of digital transformation,” noted Mr. Didier Nkurikiyimfura of Smart Africa. “How we manage it will determine how fast Africa can connect, innovate, and grow.”
