Western and Central African countries have reaffirmed their commitment to accelerating digital transformation by 2030, aiming to expand broadband access, strengthen artificial intelligence capabilities, generate digital jobs, and build a more integrated regional digital market. This commitment was formalized in the Cotonou Declaration, adopted during a regional summit held in Benin on November 17–18, 2025. The Declaration outlines ambitious targets, including extending affordable broadband to 90% of the population, expanding interoperable public digital infrastructure, doubling intra-African e-commerce, and adopting harmonized policies on cybersecurity, data governance, and AI to foster trust and innovation.
The Declaration emphasizes large-scale digital skills development, with plans to equip 20 million people with basic digital competencies and provide digital job or entrepreneurship opportunities to 2 million young people and women. Governments also committed to strengthening digital innovation ecosystems in collaboration with the private sector and promoting African-led AI solutions through improved regional computing, cloud, and data infrastructure. These steps aim to drive inclusive economic transformation and strengthen Africa’s position in the global digital economy.
To implement these commitments, countries plan to mobilize public and private investments through national digital compacts that align reform priorities, financing needs, and strategic partnerships. Discussions at the summit focused on fostering regional cooperation, sharing best practices, and encouraging greater private-sector investment in digital infrastructure. These efforts will build on regional initiatives such as Mission 300, which aims to connect 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030 to support digital and economic progress.
Digital technology is recognized as a powerful driver of economic and social development. By boosting productivity, supporting job creation, and promoting inclusion, it has become central to Africa’s economic ambitions. The commitments made in Cotonou reflect the region’s determination to translate digital potential into tangible improvements for its population and to become a competitive player in the global digital landscape.
The summit, co-organized by the Government of Benin and the World Bank Group, gathered over 200 participants, including ministers, regional organizations, private-sector leaders, young innovators, civil society, and international experts. The event supports the African Union’s broader goals for universal broadband access, a unified African digital market, and greater adoption of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence to advance the continent’s digital transformation.
