West Africa’s digital economy hits $216bn as WATRA pushes regulatory harmonisation
The West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly (WATRA) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening regulatory coordination across the subregion as West Africa’s digital economy expands to an estimated $216 billion, according to industry projections.
The West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly (WATRA) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening regulatory coordination across the subregion as West Africa’s digital economy expands to an estimated $216 billion, according to industry projections.
Aliyu Aboki, Executive Secretary of WATRA, described the 4th Working Groups Meeting in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, as a milestone in the organisation’s evolution, noting that the groups have become a platform for coordination, peer learning and policy alignment among member states.
The event, hosted by the Autorité de Régulation des Communications Électroniques et des Postes (ARCEP) Burkina Faso, brought together regulators and industry stakeholders to review ongoing efforts to strengthen the region’s digital regulatory framework.
The region’s digital economy, covering e-commerce, payments and platform services, is estimated at over $216 billion.
The meeting was held under the theme: “Building a Secure, Inclusive, and Resilient Digital Ecosystem for West Africa.”
Aboki said the gathering marked a shift from dialogue to implementation, as the region works to develop practical regulatory tools for its digital economy.
“Nearly two years after the establishment of the Working Groups, we can see the progress achieved. What began as a vision has become a mechanism for peer learning, coordination and knowledge exchange,” Aboki said.
He added that the outputs of the working groups will guide regulatory action across WATRA’s 16 member states.
The groups finalised technical reports covering 5G deployment, submarine cable resilience, cybersecurity, consumer protection and non-geostationary satellite (NGSO) regulation.
Aboki said the recommendations would support regional harmonisation and improve regulatory responses to emerging technologies.
West Africa’s telecoms and digital sectors are expanding, driven by mobile connectivity, fintech, digital financial services, artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things (IoT).
WATRA said digital technologies are contributing to economic growth, job creation and financial inclusion across the subregion.
Aboki said the outcomes of the meeting will feed into the review of WATRA’s 2022–2025 Strategic Plan and the development of its next strategy cycle.
Nigeria remains the region’s largest digital economy, while Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal continue to expand their digital sectors.
WATRA said the developments highlight the need for coordinated regulatory frameworks to support digital growth across West Africa.
The recommendations from the meeting will be submitted to the WATRA General Assembly for consideration.
WATRA expressed appreciation to the Government of Burkina Faso and ARCEP Burkina Faso for hosting the meeting and to participating regulators and experts across the region.
Aboki reaffirmed WATRA’s commitment to regional cooperation and regulatory harmonisation to support digital transformation in West Africa.
