Rwandan President Paul Kagame

Kagame noted that Africa had played a leading role globally in the growth of mobile money, yet despite the progress the continent had made, only a fraction of Africans were connected compared to the global average.

“If this gap persists, the same technology meant to expand access will instead widen inequality,” he said in his address.

“The most important conversation we should have is about people and how these skills and tools enrich everyone,” Kagame added.

The president however said while the challenges Africa faced were significant, they also offered great growth potential if we collaborate.

“Governments, the private sector and other partners should harmonise policies and create the right environment for innovation,” he said.

“This will enable our data and payment systems to flow securely across borders and connect our economies.”

Kagame noted the African Union (AU), regional blocs and Smart Africa were already advancing this vision through efforts to cut costs, reduce barriers and create a single digital market.

“Such cooperation will scale African solution globally while retaining their value here. The future we must build is an Africa that is bold, connected and competitive,” he concluded.

According to the GSMA’s 2025 State of Mobile Internet Connectivity report, only 25 percent of the population in Sub-Saharan Africa used mobile internet in 2024, the lowest regional rate in the world

MWC has brought together 4 000 delegates from 109 countries.