Africa is among the leading regions benefiting from new global connectivity commitments after the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) announced that its Partner2Connect (P2C) digital Coalition has surpassed US$100 billion in pledges.
The milestone was announced at the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forum 2026 in Geneva, Switzerland, as the coalition works to expand internet access and support digital inclusion worldwide.
The ITU said projects supported through the coalition are already underway in more than 190 countries, with Africa and the Asia-Pacific among the regions seeing significant implementation activity.
Launched in 2021, P2C brings together governments, industry, development banks and civil society organisations to support digital inclusion through investments in infrastructure, digital skills and innovation.
The latest pledges include several initiatives focused on Africa.
The Global System for Mobile Communications Association committed to advancing African artificial intelligence (AI) language models aimed at supporting digital inclusion, while Microsoft pledged to expand rural connectivity in Kenya through satellite-enabled infrastructure.
In South Africa, Telkom announced a $6.1 million (R100m0 investment to establish an AI institute focused on developing digital skills and supporting participation in the digital economy.
Other global commitments include $500 million from Boston Consulting Group for AI-driven social impact projects and $450 million from ZTE to support ecosystem partnerships and innovation.
The ITU said the pledges are intended to expand affordable and reliable internet access while building the skills needed for the safe and effective use of digital technologies.
Despite progress, around one-quarter of the global population remains offline, according to the ITU.
“Partner2Connect having surpassed its $100 billion goal is a landmark achievement in global efforts towards universal meaningful connectivity,” said Doreen Bogdan-Martin, secretary-general of the ITU.
“Today is a powerful reminder that every pledge makes a difference to bring everyone on board our shared digital future.”
Since its launch, the coalition has received more than 1 000 pledges from 149 countries. The ITU said women are the most frequently targeted beneficiaries, followed by children and persons with disabilities, while digital infrastructure accounts for the largest share of commitments.
Despite reaching the $100 billion milestone, the ITU estimates that achieving universal connectivity by 2030 will require between $2.6 trillion and $2.8 trillion in investment.
“Reaching $100 billion in P2C pledges is a defining milestone in our journey toward universal digital development,” said Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, director of the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau.
“Now is the time to turn these pledges into impactful projects, aligning countries’ and regional priorities with partner commitments, and ensure results across all regions,” he said.
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