On November 17 and 18, 2025, Cotonou hosted a regional summit bringing together ministers and representatives from 22 West and Central African countries, alongside the World Bank and the BOAD.

The work focused on digital transformation and its regional challenges, with a contrasting diagnosis: 4G coverage reaching 76%, 5G still marginal at 5%, and networks remaining expensive and unequally accessible.

Participants presented national progress in digitalization and emphasized the need for regional coordination to bridge technological gaps and promote digital inclusion, particularly in rural areas. Discussions highlighted the importance of sharing expertise, pooling infrastructure, and harmonizing regulatory frameworks to ensure that technological innovation benefits the entire region and achieves the African Union's 2030 goals.

The discussions also highlighted the challenges related to digital skills development and the adaptation of education systems. Several countries reiterated that access to technology is not enough: it must be accompanied by training programs for young people and women, in order to transform digital potential into a genuine driver of inclusive growth. The World Bank emphasized the importance of investing in human capital to prevent the digital divide from becoming a social divide.

The discussions addressed the issue of financing digital projects. The ministers stressed that the mobilization of regional and international resources, as well as the involvement of the private sector, will be crucial to accelerating the deployment of infrastructure.

The creation of public-private partnerships and innovative financing mechanisms could help overcome budgetary constraints and ensure the sustainable implementation of digital initiatives.