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Across Africa, conversations around innovation often centre on the latest breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, robotics, or advanced computing. Yet one of the most powerful drivers of transformation is far more fundamental and tangible: connectivity.
Connectivity is not only about fast data or smartphone adoption. It is about reducing remoteness, connecting people, and making it possible for people to participate in economic, civic, and social life regardless of geography. When connectivity becomes the platform, innovation follows.
Linking Citizens and Services
Somalia offers an instructive example of how connectivity extends beyond communication and into the heart of society. Mobile networks have long underpinned financial inclusion, allowing citizens to transact securely via mobile money systems even in the absence of traditional banking infrastructure.
As Ali H. Warsame, from the HIIL Institute and former CEO of Golis Telecom Somalia, explains: “In Somalia, almost 80% of adults use mobile services for financial transactions. For many, it’s the only way to pay bills, run a business, or send money. Mobile connectivity is not just about internet access; it is the economic and social glue that holds communities together.”
The role of connectivity now reaches deep into critical national systems. In Somalia, public services such as vehicle registration and taxation are increasingly digitised and managed through mobile-enabled platforms, bringing greater efficiency and transparency to processes that were once slow and fragmented.
A national digital identity programme is also underway, led by The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) of Somalia. This initiative is designed to provide citizens with secure digital ID cards, enabling them to vote, access healthcare records, and interact with public institutions more easily.
These advances are not just about convenience; they are also about safety, stability and economic prosperity. Digital identity and mobile-first systems play a crucial role in strengthening trust, protecting communities, and making governance more accountable.
Together, these developments show the importance of interoperability; the ability for mobile systems, government databases, financial services, and healthcare networks to work seamlessly. It is the integration that creates the foundation for a functioning, modern state.
A Continental Opportunity
The relevance of this model extends well beyond Somalia. Across Africa, countries are increasingly exploring how mobile connectivity can accelerate both inclusion and prosperity.
One of the most powerful impacts is in reducing remoteness. For citizens in rural or hard-to-reach areas, connectivity brings essential services closer, eliminating the burden of distance and allowing people to participate in civic and economic life without leaving their communities.
Connectivity also plays a central role in driving inclusivity. Women and small business owners, in particular, are able to connect directly with markets, suppliers, and customers through mobile platforms, expanding opportunities and creating new pathways for economic empowerment.
Finally, mobile-first and interoperable systems are crucial for building resilience. By improving transparency in governance, strengthening healthcare delivery, and enhancing public safety, these systems help societies manage risk while laying the groundwork for long-term stability and growth.
As Steve Tunnicliffe, Chief Strategy Officer at Commercis, puts it: “Connectivity is fundamentally about connecting people. But it also enables banking, trade, and even national security programmes like digital ID. Without it, businesses struggle, governments can’t deliver services, and societies miss the chance to prosper.”
The Foundation for Innovation
Emerging technologies, from AI to next-generation networks, will only reach their potential when underpinned by robust connectivity. Without reliable mobile systems, data infrastructure, and interoperable platforms, the benefits of technological progress risk bypassing the very communities that could benefit most. At the same time, the rapid expansion of fast data and always-on connections brings new challenges—including safeguarding privacy, ensuring data integrity, and preventing the harmful misuse of digital platforms.
By treating connectivity as both a social equaliser and an economic enabler, Africa can lay the groundwork for inclusive growth, strengthened governance, and a resilient digital future.