During the recent Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR-24) held in Kampala, Uganda, African regulators endorsed a comprehensive set of guidelines aimed at maximizing the benefits of transformative information and communication technologies (ICTs). These “GSR-24 Best Practice Guidelines” provide a framework for balancing innovation with regulation, focusing on enhancing societal and economic impacts through emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI).
ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin emphasized the importance of innovation, trust, and inclusivity in the policy and regulatory environment, especially with a significant portion of the global population still lacking access to digital services. The guidelines underscored the need for collaborative regulatory approaches to leverage technologies such as AI effectively.
Global Dialogue and Commitment
The symposium, organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), brought together over 600 participants, including government ministers, regulatory heads, industry leaders, and academics. It served as a pivotal platform for setting the global agenda on digital policy and regulatory frameworks.
Uganda’s Minister for ICT and National Guidance, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, highlighted the importance of coordinated efforts among stakeholders to align national policies with the Best Practice Guidelines. This alignment aims to foster investment, innovation, and growth in the ICT sector across African nations.
Challenges and Opportunities
At GSR-24, regulators addressed critical issues related to digital technology adoption, including the potential of AI to enhance network operations and combat fraud, while also considering challenges such as privacy concerns, biases, and job displacement.
Dr. Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, Director of ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau, discussed key topics such as generative AI advancements, the development of a safe and sustainable space economy, and interventions for addressing climate change challenges through ICT solutions.
Broadband Mapping Systems Project
Additionally, the symposium unveiled the Africa’s National Broadband Mapping Systems project, supported by the European Commission with a budget of EUR 15 million over four years. This initiative aims to establish broadband mapping systems in 11 African countries initially, including Kenya, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe. Its goal is to stimulate investment and drive digital transformation across the continent.
The outcomes of GSR-24 underscored a collective commitment to harnessing digital technologies for inclusive development, highlighting the transformative potential of ICTs in shaping Africa’s future economic and social landscape.
