A hands-on workshop empowered regulators and key stakeholders across the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) with tools for evidence-based decision-making.

The Stakeholder Workshop for Benchmarking of ICT in Central Africa, held in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, from 19 to 21 November 2024, organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in collaboration with the European Union (EU) and la Cellule d’appui à l’Ordonnateur national du Fonds européen de développement (COFED), aimed to strengthen regulatory capacities and ICT policy frameworks, foster collaboration, and advance digital transformation in the region.

Hosted by Equatorial Guinea’s Ministry of Transport, Telecommunications and Artificial Intelligence Systems, and with the participation of high-level officials from the Ministry, the ICT regulator Órgano Regulador de las Telecomunicaciones (ORTEL), and regulators from seven other countries, the workshop fostered a shared understanding of regulatory challenges posed by emerging technologies. It also strengthened the collective drive for regionally harmonized policies and regulatory frameworks to support digital innovation and economic diversification.

A benchmark for progress

Through interactive sessions on regulatory frameworks, data-driven policy approaches and collaborative governance, participants identified pathways to bridge gaps in ICT policy and regulatory frameworks across 11 ECCAS member countries.

“Robust regulatory frameworks are the cornerstone of a successful digital transformation,” said Dr Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, Director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT). “By empowering regulators or countries with data-driven tools and enhancing regional coordination, we are not only shaping policies but building a sustainable and inclusive digital future for all communities in Central Africa.”

Among the workshop’s standout moments was a session on co-creation of national roadmaps, where participants worked together to craft actionable strategies to address shared challenges such as data governance and regulatory coherence across sectors.

Key achievements and commitments

Participants worked together to:

Strengthen capacity-building initiatives, equipping stakeholders with skills in regulatory strategies, stakeholder mapping, and sandboxing to foster innovation and evidence-based decision-making.
Align national ICT strategies with the African Union’s Digital Transformation Strategy, promoting a harmonized approach to policy and regulation.
Enhance regional collaboration by bringing regulators, policymakers, and stakeholders together under a shared vision for digital transformation and regional integration.

Driving change, together

This pivotal event reaffirmed the importance of collaboration and innovation, leaving a lasting impact on the region’s journey toward an inclusive digital transformation.

Closing the workshop, H.E. Mr Honorato Evita Oma, Minister of Transport, Telecommunications and Artificial Intelligence Systems of Equatorial Guinea, emphasized: “This workshop has strengthened the foundation for regional cooperation. By addressing shared challenges together, we can unlock a brighter digital future for Central Africa.”

For more information, visit the official event page.

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