DIGITAL PUSH AND 2027 POLITICS TAKE CENTER STAGE AS AFRICA AGREES ON CHEAPER INTERNET PLAN

DIGITAL PUSH AND 2027 POLITICS TAKE CENTER STAGE AS AFRICA AGREES ON CHEAPER INTERNET PLAN

LAGOS, Tuesday July 28, 2026

African countries have adopted a new ministerial declaration aimed at making internet and smartphones more affordable, while in Nigeria, 2027 political conversations are heating up with the presidency firing back at opposition figures.

At a recent gathering of African telecom regulators, the ATU Secretary-General presented a declaration covering digital inclusion, infrastructure resilience, broadband expansion, technology neutrality and consumer protection. Citing ITU data, officials said countries that adopted modern regulatory measures like fair spectrum pricing and infrastructure sharing recorded 5G coverage about 40 percentage points higher than those without reforms. 

The World Bank’s digital integration programme in West Africa was referenced as an example, where licensing reforms helped broadband penetration rise from 26% to 36% in three years, while the cost of 1GB of data dropped from 10% to 5% of monthly income. Regulators were urged to modernize satellite licensing and ensure regulatory parity so similar services face similar obligations. 

In politics, the push by opposition parties to field a single candidate against President Tinubu in 2027 appears to have suffered a setback. The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy also responded sharply to criticism from opposition figures, accusing them of a “high rabid movement” 

NDDC leadership expressed confidence that the APC will win in 2027, citing the Tinubu administration’s achievements: increased revenue to states, student loan scheme, road and rail projects, power sector reforms and agricultural programmes. The director said these initiatives are being felt across the 36 states and FCT. 

The digital declaration signals Africa’s intent to close the connectivity gap, but implementation will depend on funding and regulatory alignment. For Nigeria, the combination of cheaper data and political mobilization ahead of 2027 means the next year will be about both technology and voter engagement