Closing Africa’s Connectivity Gap in the Age of AI and E‑Governance

Paradigm Initiative

Session 193

Monday, 6 July 2026 ∼ 11:00–11:45 (UTC+02:00) Physical (on-site) and Virtual (remote) participation Room L1, ITU Montbrillant Building Interactive Session

Despite increased interest in AI, e-governance and digital public services across the Global South, persistent connectivity gaps and affordability issues continue to be major barriers to meaningful participation. While governments adopt AI strategies and roll out online IDs, portals and e-services, rural communities, low-income households, women, youth, and persons with disabilities remain offline, on 2G, or hindered by high data and device costs. This session will draw on evidence from Global South actors’ work and PIN’s work across 28 African countries and findings from PIN’s Londa report, which show low overall internet penetration, with more than half the population still offline, limited access in rural areas due to infrastructure gaps, and unreliable electricity. The situation is worsened by internet shutdowns. The session, using country case studies including those from Londa 2025 and PIN’s AI governance initiatives, will outline practical policy and regulatory strategies to bridge connectivity gaps and promote inclusion.

The session will ask the following questions:

How do current connectivity gaps limit real‑world benefits of AI, e‑governance and e‑services in African countries?
How can governments, regulators and private sector actors improve access and close the divide through policies and implementation?

Ms. Bridgette Ndlovu Partnerships and Engagements Officer Zimbabwe Remote Panellist

Bridgette Ndlovu is a Partnerships and Engagements Officer at Paradigm Initiative, a leading Pan-African organisation working to advance digital rights and inclusion. Her work focuses on fostering strategic collaborations and cultivating meaningful relationships with diverse stakeholders including civil society organisations, policymakers and the private sector, to advance digital rights and inclusion across the continent and beyond. Bridgette is an experienced researcher with a strong interest in advocating for rights-respecting digital policy development and reform. Bridgette has coordinated capacity-building initiatives that equip stakeholders with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the evolving digital landscape. She is passionate about leveraging technology to drive positive social change and is committed to fostering a more inclusive and rights-respecting digital ecosystem.

Ms. Shumaila H Hussain Policy and Advocacy Lead Tech Global Institute

Shumaila H. Shahani is trained in law and works at the intersection of technology policy, ethics, and equity in the Global Majority.

Ms. Bridgette Ndlovu Senior Manager: Partnerships and Engagements Zimbabwe Moderator

Topics

Artificial Intelligence Digital Divide Digital Inclusion Global Digital Compact (GDC) Human Rights Infrastructure WSIS+20 Review

WSIS Action Lines

C1. The role of governments and all stakeholders in the promotion of ICTs for development
C2. Information and communication infrastructure
C3. Access to information and knowledge
C7. ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life — E-government
C7. ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life — E-business
C7. ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life — E-learning
C7. ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life — E-health
C7. ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life — E-employment
C7. ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life — E-environment
C7. ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life — E-agriculture
C7. ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life — E-science

Drawing on action lines C1, C2, C3 and C7, panellists will highlight the role of governments and all stakeholders in the promotion of ICTs for development. The session will also discuss accessibility and availability of information and communication infrastructure to ascertain progress or the lack thereof in achieving digital inclusion. The session will also discuss access to information and knowledge as a measure for promoting and achieving inclusion. The session will also highlight accessibility to e-government services, e-business, e-learning, e-health, e- employment, e-environment, e-agriculture and e-science.

Sustainable Development Goals

Goal 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
Goal 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
Goal 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries
Goal 11: Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
Goal 16: Promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies

The session will highlight accessibility, ongoing digital exclusion and reveal how the lack of affordable, reliable connectivity prevents many communities and individuals with disabilities from accessing AI-enabled services, e-governance and other digital platforms. The session will focus on goal 4 with an aim to ensure inclusion. The session envisages that if government and stakeholders adequately promote ICT for development, this will result in the attainment of inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. The session also envisages that resilient infrastructure, sustainable industrialisation and innovation will lead to inclusion and reduce inequality within and among countries. In line with goal 11, the session will seek to advocate for inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities.

GDC Objectives

Objective 1: Close all digital divides and accelerate progress across the Sustainable Development Goals
Objective 2: Expand inclusion in and benefits from the digital economy for all
Objective 5: Enhance international governance of artificial intelligence for the benefit of humanity

Links

https://paradigmhq.org/londa2025/chapters/regional.html