WATRA Meeting Advances West Africa's Digital Economy Goals

The West African Telecommunications Regulators Assembly (WATRA) held its 4th work group meeting in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, focusing on the region's digital economy, which is projected to reach $216 billion by 2024. Mr.

Aliyu Yusuf Aboki, the Executive Secretary of WATRA, emphasized the meeting's significance in fostering dialogue and delivering practical regulatory tools. The meeting brought together regulatory experts and stakeholders to discuss critical areas such as 5G deployment, submarine cable resilience, cybersecurity frameworks, and consumer protection.

Aboki highlighted the need for a forward-looking regulatory framework, particularly in data protection and cybersecurity, to adapt to the rapid technological advancements in the sector. The outcomes of the meeting will inform WATRA's strategic plans for 2026-2030 and aim to strengthen regulatory harmonization across its 16 member states, ultimately contributing to the economic growth of West Africa, which has a combined GDP estimated at $700-800 billion.