Nigeria is taking the lead among 15 member nations of the West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly (WATRA) in their collective effort to capture a significant share of the region's $216 billion digital economy. This initiative follows the recent conclusion of WATRA’s 4th Working Groups Meeting held in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, which reinforced the organisation's dedication to fostering a digital environment that is both secure and accessible for all.
The region's digital economy is experiencing rapid expansion, significantly influencing the growth trajectories of ECOWAS member states. This dynamic growth underscores the importance of WATRA's efforts.
The meeting, hosted by the Autorité de Régulation des Communications Électroniques et des Postes du Burkina Faso (ARCEP), convened regulators, technical specialists, and key stakeholders from across West Africa. The central theme of the gathering was “Building a Secure, Inclusive, and Resilient Digital Ecosystem for West Africa.”
Mr. Aliyu Yusuf Aboki, the Executive Secretary of WATRA, highlighted the meeting's significance, noting its role in WATRA's development and marking a shift from theoretical discussions to the practical implementation of regulatory tools. Aboki, a seasoned telecommunications engineer and policy expert with over two decades of experience in the ICT sector, including roles with major firms like Ericsson and MTN in Nigeria, has been a key figure in cross-border regulatory coordination, spectrum policy, and digital transformation.
He described the progress made over the nearly two years since the Working Groups were established as a source of pride. "What began as a vision has evolved into a dynamic mechanism for peer learning, coordination, and knowledge exchange," Aboki stated.
During the meeting, the Working Groups successfully finalised a series of technical reports addressing crucial aspects of the region's digital advancement. These include strategies for 5G deployment, enhancing submarine cable resilience, establishing cybersecurity frameworks, improving consumer protection, and refining regulations for non-geostationary satellite (NGSO) services.
Aboki stressed that these reports are designed to be actionable instruments, providing guidance for policy formulation and regulatory actions across WATRA's 16 member countries. He added, "These reports are not merely formalities. They will inform policy, guide regulatory action, and strengthen regional harmonisation."
The assembly convened at a time of considerable transformation in West Africa's telecommunications sector, propelled by advancements in areas like digital financial services, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things (IoT). Aboki pointed out that this evolving landscape necessitates agile and forward-thinking regulatory approaches, particularly concerning data protection, cybersecurity, and digital governance.
He also noted that the outcomes from the Working Groups would contribute to evaluating WATRA’s current Strategic Plan (2022–2025) and would inform the development of the subsequent strategy for 2026–2030.
"The reports produced here represent concrete evidence of the value generated through this collaborative approach and reaffirm the importance of coordinated regulation in bridging the digital divide in West Africa," he remarked.
Economic Context: A Large and Fast-Growing Digital Opportunity
The significance of WATRA's initiatives is amplified by the substantial economic scale of West Africa and the accelerating impact of digital technologies. The ECOWAS region, with a population exceeding 400 million, boasts a combined GDP estimated between $700–800 billion, with Nigeria being the primary economic driver, contributing more than two-thirds of this total. This positions West Africa as a major economic bloc on the African continent.
Digital technologies are increasingly vital to this economic expansion. Industry and multilateral sources indicate that the digital economy represents 4% to 6% of GDP in many African nations. In West Africa specifically, mobile technologies alone contribute approximately 4–5% of GDP, a figure that is expected to rise with improved connectivity.
Within this context, the West African digital market, which encompasses e-commerce, digital payments, connectivity services, and digital platforms, is estimated to be worth over $200 billion. Recent forecasts place its value above $216 billion for 2024, reflecting robust growth in mobile penetration, fintech adoption, and platform-based services.
Moreover, the digital economy is recognised as a key driver of economic development by enhancing productivity and fostering new business creation. It also plays a crucial role in improving livelihoods by broadening access to financial services, education, and healthcare, particularly for rural and underserved populations, thereby promoting inclusion.
Several leading markets are spearheading this digital transformation across the region. Nigeria stands out as the largest digital economy, home to prominent telecom and fintech companies. Ghana is a rapidly growing centre for digital payments and financial innovation, while Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal are emerging as significant hubs for digital and infrastructure development.
These trends underscore the critical need for harmonised regulatory frameworks, such as those developed by WATRA, to ensure that digital growth translates into widespread economic and social benefits.
The Executive Secretary confirmed that the recommendations resulting from the meeting will be submitted to the WATRA General Assembly for review and approval.
WATRA extended its gratitude to the Government of Burkina Faso and ARCEP Burkina Faso for hosting the event and for their support of regional cooperation. Special commendation was given to Dr. Pasteur Poda, Chairman of the Regulatory Council of ARCEP, and Mr. Patrice Compaoré, the Executive Secretary, for their leadership.
Aboki also acknowledged the valuable contributions of the Working Group members, Co-Chairs, Rapporteurs, and the WATRA Secretariat, highlighting that their dedicated efforts have significantly bolstered the organisation's technical capabilities and relevance.
"As we transition into the next strategic cycle, we expect even greater impact from WATRA’s work. This will depend on sustained collaboration and the continued engagement of our experts across the region," he concluded.
He reiterated WATRA's commitment to strengthening regional collaboration and supporting the implementation of coordinated regulatory frameworks to facilitate digital growth and inclusion throughout West Africa.
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