Africa’s ICT Ministers Convene in Abuja to Tackle Mobile Data Security and Digital Inclusion

Top information and communications technology (ICT) ministers from African nations gathered in Abuja to discuss the growing reliance on smartphones for internet access. A Kaspersky survey highlighted that 60% of respondents in the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa now use smartphones as their primary device, storing personal photos, contacts, messages, and even corporate data. Experts warned that security habits have not kept pace, urging a three‑step plan that includes regular backups, robust encryption, and user education.

At the same time, the APC network participated in the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forum in Geneva, Switzerland. Delegates focused on inclusive AI governance, community‑centered connectivity, financing mechanisms, corporate accountability, and gender mainstreaming. Recommendations were presented to embed feminist principles in AI policy, emphasizing that digital connectivity should be recognized as a human right and that affected communities must be involved in decision‑making.