Marrakech, Morocco, 9th April, 2026- Sierra Leone’s National Communications Authority (NatCA) took center stage at GITEX Africa 2026, the continent’s largest technology and startup exhibition held under the High Patronage of King Mohammed VI, with the Director General playing a prominent role in high-level discussions on Africa’s digital future.
As a featured panelist in the session “The Infrastructure-First AI Strategy: De-risking the Investment, Unlocking the ROI”, the Director General made a compelling case for prioritizing foundational digital infrastructure as the backbone of Africa’s AI ambitions.
He emphasized the need for public-private partnerships, localized data processing, and harmonized policies to attract long-term investment and build scalable ecosystems. His contributions shifted the conversation from theoretical AI potential to practical, investment-ready strategies.
In another panel, “Closing the Usage Gap: Profitable Models for the Next Half-Billion,” the Director General addressed Africa’s pressing challenge of turning connectivity into meaningful usage. He outlined commercially viable models for digital inclusion, stressing that profitability is essential for sustainability. Key points included flexible pricing, local content creation, and government-backed partnerships to unlock last-mile connectivity.
On the sidelines, the Director General held bilateral talks with Gambian ministers Lamin Jabbi and Ismaila Ceesay, focusing on expanding digital infrastructure, enhancing cross-border interconnection, and advancing the Mano River Union fiber backbone project. These engagements underscored a shared commitment to building a more integrated and competitive digital economy in West Africa.
He also met with Moroccan counterpart Amine El Mezouaghi to explore collaboration in digital skills development, emerging technologies, and institutional knowledge exchange, agreeing to pursue concrete steps toward accelerating innovation and inclusive growth.
Across all engagements, the Director General’s interventions were widely recognized as practical and forward-looking, reinforcing NatCA’s position as a continental thought leader in Africa’s digital transformation.
