Airtel Africa champions emerging technologies to drive Africa’s digital future

Joy Agwunobi  

Segun Ogunsanya,Airtel Africa CEO, has called on the telecommunications industry to harness emerging technologies, to connect and engage with the rest of the world.

Speaking at the recently conducted Mobile World Congress in Kigali, Ogunsanya stated that the move could help to bridge the digital divide, drive financial inclusion, and expand access to affordable smart devices.

Ogunsanya highlighted the potential of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) for understanding customer needs, predicting behaviour, and generating insights. He also noted the role of intelligent connectivity, a combination of 5G, the Internet of Things, and AI, in driving technological development and enabling new digital services. These technologies, he explained,could have a major impact on how businesses operate and how people connect with each other.

Ogunsanya emphasized the telecoms industry’s role in helping people enter the digital space by investing in building digital highways and creating a vibrant mobile money ecosystem.

Citing a recent telecom report,Ogunsanya noted that despite Africa’s young population, only two out of ten Africans have a mobile money wallet and smartphone penetration remains low at 59 per cent.

According to the Airtel Africa CEO, the industry can put smart devices in the hands of everyone on the continent through partnerships with equipment manufacturers and other key stakeholders.

To this end, he disclosed that Airtel Africa is deploying a  5G network in  its 14 markets creating a digitally connected world and enabling a new  range of opportunities and driving economic development.

The leading provider of telecommunications and mobile money services recently launched the most affordable 4G smartphone in Rwanda, in partnership with the Government of Rwanda, under the ConnectRwanda 2.0. initiative.

Ogunsanya emphasized that Airtel Africa’s partnership with the government of Rwanda reflects its commitment to the country’s digital future. The CEO also highlighted the vital role that digital empowerment plays in socioeconomic development, pointing out that affordable smartphones have the potential to open up new opportunities for learning, business, and connection.