Ministers responsible for the digital economy from West and Central African countries have issued the Cotonou Declaration, reaffirming their commitment to accelerating digital transformation and the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) as tools for inclusive growth, job creation, and regional integration.
The declaration was adopted during a regional summit held in Cotonou, Republic of Benin. The ministers emphasized that digital transformation should empower people by creating jobs, strengthening community resilience, and enhancing economic competitiveness. They acknowledged progress in expanding broadband and building digital infrastructure but noted ongoing challenges related to financing, governance, and inclusion.
The declaration outlines a vision to establish a Single African Digital Market by 2030. This market would be built on connectivity, trust, innovation, sustainability, and ethical AI to ensure that no country or citizen is left behind in the digital economy.
Among the key objectives set for 2030 are ensuring affordable broadband access for at least 95 percent of the population, deploying interoperable digital public infrastructure so that two-thirds of citizens can access secure online services, equipping at least 70 percent of young graduates with basic digital literacy skills, creating two million new jobs in the digital economy, and integrating digital transformation into national budgets and regional programs.
The ministers also agreed on concrete targets to be achieved by 2028. These include halving the average cost of data, reducing the usage gap by one-quarter, providing affordable internet access to 70 percent of rural households, extending broadband coverage to 90 percent of the population, harmonizing roaming tariffs across countries, providing secure digital identity to at least half of all citizens, doubling intra-African e-commerce activity, training 20 million people in digital skills—including 200,000 professionals in cybersecurity—and making three regional centers of excellence in AI fully operational.
To support these goals, governments pledged to develop regulatory frameworks that foster responsible investment and sustainable innovation. The private sector is encouraged to expand broadband infrastructure—especially in underserved areas—and contribute to training initiatives targeting youth, women, and persons with disabilities.
Regional economic communities and the African Union will play central roles in harmonizing policies and supporting cross-border initiatives on e-commerce and data flows. Technical and financial partners are invited to align their support with the priorities set out in the declaration.
A Regional Digital Transformation Financing Mechanism will be established to coordinate investments needed for implementation. Progress will be monitored through a regional dashboard tracking advances in connectivity and inclusion. An annual forum will review achievements while each member state designates a focal point for coordination.
In their closing remarks at the summit: "We commend the World Bank for its unwavering commitment to supporting and financing the digital transformation efforts of the countries of West and Central Africa."
The ministers called on all stakeholders—including governments, private sector actors, civil society organizations, youth groups, women’s organizations, and development partners—to join forces over the next two years to accelerate progress towards these goals by 2028.
They concluded: "Together we commit to making Cotonou 2025 a turning point in Africa’s digital and AI trajectory."