Africa’s ability to turn connectivity into growth will hinge on smarter, faster policy rather than technology alone, according to a policy panel that urged governments to co-create rules with industry and civil society while building capacity for the AI era.

Moderated by Osinachi Ibeneme, Director of Financial Reporting and Control, IHS Towers, Dr. Inuwa Abdullahi, Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and Dayo Oketola, representing Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), and Tinuade Oguntuyi, General Manager, Technical, ICSL, as speakers, the session asked whether Africa can shape an inclusive digital path as artificial intelligence redraws global competitiveness. 

Dr. Inuwa Abdullahi, Director General of NITDA, said the continent should treat AI as a development tool, not a superpower race. “We must dream big but build small – build for Africa, with African data, and African values,” he said, calling for investment in compute, local data centers, and digital skills – and warning that fragmented rules deter capital.

Representing ALTON chair Engr. Gbenga Adebayo and Dayo Oketola argued that infrastructure “cannot thrive” without fit-for-purpose policies. “Policy is the backbone of digital transformation. Policymakers must understand what they regulate to make an impact,” he said, urging digital literacy and evidence-based rulemaking in government and a stronger focus on rural and underserved users.

From industry operations, Tinuade Oguntuyi of ICSL urged for a PPP-plus model that brings civil society into the room from day one. “When we synergize, we align. When we isolate, we build silos,” she said, advocating co-designed frameworks so policy keeps pace with fast-moving technology. Abdullahi added that “IT doesn’t respect borders,” pressing for regional harmonization on spectrum, data governance, cybersecurity, and AI ethics to enable cross-border services and trust.

The speakers urged to institutionalize co-creation among government, industry, and civil groups; upskill regulators on digital and AI; advance pan-African standards to cut friction; and target inclusion so policy and investment reach rural communities. As Ibeneme put it, “Africa cannot afford to be left behind. Our challenges are platforms for building homegrown solutions.”

The panel’s bottom line was pragmatic: coordination – not capacity – is the constraint. Agile, harmonized, and inclusive rules will determine whether Africa converts today’s connectivity into tomorrow’s digital dividends.

Hyperscalers Convergence Africa 2025 was convened by Africa Hyperscalers and sponsored by Nokia, Open Access Data Centres (OADC), IHS Towers, Vertiv, Equinix, and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).
Ready to dive deeper into the hyperscale revolution impacting Africa?

READ MORE HERE: www.africa.hyperscalers.news

Contact Us:
Email: projects@hyperscalers.news

Phone: +2348109003350
Follow us on Social Media: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, x