By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
The African Union (AU)
Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, H.E. Lerato D. Mataboge, has called
for an integrated approach to energy and digital infrastructure development to
support Africa’s digital transformation and strengthen the continent’s participation
in the global artificial intelligence (AI) economy.
Speaking during a fireside
conversation with John Giusti, Chief Regulatory Officer of the GSMA, at the
keynote session titled “The Infrastructure of Intelligence” at MWC Doha,
Mataboge emphasised that energy, digital infrastructure, skills and capital must
be planned together to support Africa’s digital ambitions.
The event was held alongside
the International Telecommunication Union Plenipotentiary Conference 2026 (ITU
PP-26) in the State of Qatar.
“The digital transformation
agenda has to be seen as an ecosystem,” Mataboge said, highlighting the
interconnected role of energy and digital infrastructure in enabling the
continent to benefit from emerging technologies.
The conversation examined
Africa’s role in shaping the digital revolution, drawing on the continent’s
young population, mineral resources and position in the global governance of
digital technologies.
Discussions also focused on
translating continental strategies into practical implementation through
stronger coordination across African regions, the mobilisation of African-led
capital and predictable regulatory frameworks.
Mataboge highlighted the
potential of African financial institutions, including pension funds and
sovereign wealth funds, to support infrastructure investment and accelerate the
continent’s digital development.
The role of the African
Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) dispute settlement mechanism in supporting
predictable regulation was also discussed.
Africa’s experience with
mobile money emerged as a potential model for making AI more affordable and
accessible, while creating new investment opportunities.
The discussion further
emphasised the need to keep development at the centre of global digital
conversations and build trust through safeguards that protect people,
particularly young people.
Participants also
highlighted the importance of developing infrastructure and AI ecosystems built
on African languages and African data to ensure that the continent’s people and
priorities are reflected in emerging digital technologies.
