At the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forum 2025, SAMENA Telecommunications Council’s CEO, Mr. Bocar BA, delivered a powerful message during Leaders TalkX: ICT Application to Unlock the Full Potential of Digital – Part I, calling on global stakeholders to ensure that digital transformation becomes a force for equity, not division.
“We have a collective responsibility to ensure that digital transformation becomes the great Equalizer of our age—not its next great Divide,” affirmed Mr. BA.
With over 2.6 billion people still offline, Mr. Ba underscored what he called a “dignity gap”—one that delays futures and silences potential. SAMENA Council, a staunch advocate for universal connectivity, reiterated that connectivity is a right, not a reward.
Citing the work of the UN Broadband Commission, Mr. Ba pointed to the Universal Broadband Financing Framework as a model that proves capital and conscience can—and must—coexist. He emphasized that investments in connectivity must be matched by policy foresight and ethical innovation.
“Infrastructure alone isn’t enough,” he noted. “We must pair fiber with foresight and bandwidth with trust. This includes transparent, fair, and accountable governance of AI systems.”
SAMENA Council continues to call for regulatory certainty and harmonized policy frameworks to catalyze investment in priority sectors including health, education, green innovation, and financial inclusion.
As the region’s leading voice for digital development, SAMENA Council urges public and private sector actors alike to move beyond mere access—toward inclusive, empowered digital societies.
“Let’s not just connect the world—let’s elevate it,” concluded Mr. BA. “Our legacy will be measured not by network speed, but by lives transformed.”