By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
The Communications
Regulators’ Association of Southern Africa (CRASA) is participating in the
inaugural IDEA Annual Digital Forum in Lusaka, Zambia, as regional stakeholders
push for greater collaboration to accelerate digital inclusion across Eastern
and Southern Africa.
The forum, held from July 27
to 31, 2026, is convened by the COMESA Secretariat and the World Bank under the
Inclusive Digitalization in Eastern and Southern Africa (IDEA) Programme.
The gathering brings
together policymakers, telecommunications regulators, development partners and
private sector representatives to discuss strategies for building a more
inclusive and integrated digital economy across the region.
A key focus of discussions
has been the need for countries to move beyond individual national approaches
and strengthen regional cooperation to unlock the full potential of digital
transformation.
Stakeholders at the forum
emphasised the importance of shared digital infrastructure, interoperable
systems, harmonised regulatory frameworks and effective public-private
partnerships as critical drivers of inclusive connectivity and digital access.
CRASA highlighted the role
of regional collaboration in ensuring that digitalisation benefits communities
across Southern Africa by creating an enabling environment for innovation,
investment and sustainable digital growth.
