The World Summit on the Information Society in Africa (WSIS+20) officially opened today in Cotonou, Benin, bringing together high-level representatives and stakeholders from across the continent and beyond.
The event marks two decades of Africa’s engagement in shaping the global information society. The opening ceremony was presided over by H.E. Louis Gbèhounou Vlavonou, President of the National Assembly of Benin, alongside Mrs. Aurelie Adam Soulé Zoumarou, Benin’s Minister of Digital Economy and Digitalization, and Mactar Seck, Chief of the Emerging Technologies, Innovation and Digital Transformation Section at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), among other distinguished guests.
Convened by ECA in partnership with the Government and National Assembly of Benin, the high-level summit is held under the theme: “20 Years of the World Summit on the Information Society in Africa: Achievements, Challenges, and Perspectives.”
The three-day gathering aims to assess progress made in narrowing the digital divide and to explore how digital technologies can more effectively drive sustainable development across Africa.
In his keynote address, H.E. Louis Gbèhounou Vlavonou emphasized that WSIS has evolved far beyond a summit. “Today, WSIS is a global dynamic, an ecosystem of cooperation, monitoring, and the sharing of best practices,” he said. “In 2025, the process enters its maturity phase, with pressing challenges ahead: technological sovereignty, AI ethics, equitable data access, and the inclusion of women and youth in the digital economy.”
Echoing these sentiments, Minister Aurelie Adam Soulé Zoumarou highlighted Benin’s leadership in advancing digital inclusion: “By hosting this meeting in Cotonou, Benin reaffirms its commitment to an inclusive, sovereign, and sustainable digital future. We firmly believe that digital technology is a catalyst for Africa’s transformation if we harmonize our efforts, frameworks, and invest in the talents of tomorrow.”
ECA’s Mactar Seck underlined Africa’s digital progress over the past two decades: “Mobile phone subscriptions have grown from 91 million in 2005 to over 1.18 billion in 2024, reflecting the rapid adoption of mobile technology across the continent. Active mobile broadband lines soared from 23 million to 562 million. And with 5G networks now reaching 21 million users, Africa is embracing cutting-edge innovation.”
However, challenges persist, the Chief of the Emerging Technologies, Innovation, and Digital Transformation Section at ECA cautioned: “The digital divide remains a harsh reality. Millions still lack access to infrastructure, digital skills, and economic opportunities. Approximately 860 million people, or 71%, are not connected to the internet, and only 22% of rural residents use the internet. Africans spend 6.5% of their monthly income on just 2 GB of data, 14 times more than in Europe. Meanwhile, 42% of Africans lack basic digital skills, women comprise only 24% of the tech workforce, and the continent accounts for just 1.3% of global installed data center capacity.” He emphasized that WSIS+20 is a key moment to unify the historic WSIS process with the Global Digital Compact, shaping a fair, secure, and inclusive digital future for all.
The WSIS+20 Africa Summit convenes a diverse mix of stakeholders (Government officials, Parliamentarians, development partners, private sector leaders, civil society, academia, and media) to reflect on Africa’s digital journey and strategize for the future.
The summit provides a unique platform for shared learning, strategic reflection, and bold thinking as Africa positions itself to shape its digital future in alignment with global and regional development goals.