Africa continues to grapple with a significant digital divide, with millions still lacking access to affordable and reliable internet. Traditional infrastructure rollouts by major telecommunications companies have proven insufficient in reaching underserved and rural communities. Community-centred connectivity initiatives, including community networks, public-private partnerships, and innovative local solutions, have emerged as viable models to bridge this gap.
This session will explore how these initiatives are transforming internet access across Africa. It will highlight successful case studies, discuss the policy and regulatory frameworks needed to support community-led solutions and examine the role of various stakeholders—including governments, civil society, and the private sector—in enabling sustainable and inclusive connectivity.
The objectives of this session are to
To showcase successful community-centred connectivity initiatives in Africa.
To discuss the role of public policies and regulations in fostering grassroots connectivity solutions.
To identify challenges and opportunities in scaling community networks.
To engage policymakers, civil society, and industry leaders in collaborative solutions for closing the connectivity gap.
The expected outcomes of the session are as follows
Increased awareness of successful community connectivity initiatives and their impact.
Policy recommendations for integrating community-centred approaches into national broadband strategies.
Strengthened partnerships among stakeholders to support grassroots connectivity efforts.
Identification of actionable steps to scale and sustain community-based internet solutions.
The target audience for the session are Policymakers and regulators, Community network practitioners, Telecom operators and tech innovatorsCivil society organisations, Academia and researchers and International development partners.
The session aligns with the AfIGF’s mission to promote inclusive and sustainable Internet governance policies across Africa. Focusing on community-centred solutions directly addresses key challenges related to connectivity, digital inclusion, and equitable internet access, contributing to the broader goal of an inclusive digital future for the continent.