NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 5 — African ICT regulators must deepen cross-border cooperation to tackle digital threats that increasingly transcend national boundaries, Communications Authority of Kenya Director General David Mugonyi has said.

📻 Breaking It Down

Mugonyi warned that emerging technologies, cybersecurity threats, digital fraud and disruptions to critical communications infrastructure were creating challenges that could no longer be effectively addressed by regulators working in isolation.

“A damaged submarine cable off one coast can slow commerce across a dozen countries, and a fraud scheme devised in one market can reach consumers in all of ours within hours,” Mugonyi said on Monday during the Regional ICT Regulators’ Forum of the eighth cohort of the ICT Policy and Regulation – Institutional Strengthening Programme (iPRIS), which brings together regulators and ICT institutions from across Africa.

“No single regulator, however capable, can address these challenges alone.”

📌 What You Need to Know

The forum has brought together officials from national regulatory authorities in Sierra Leone, Mauritius, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Tanzania and Liberia, alongside regional regulatory organisations including the East African Communications Organisation (EACO), Communications Regulators’ Association of Southern Africa (CRASA) and West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Association (WATRA).

He said regulators across the continent needed to become more agile, evidence-driven and collaborative as artificial intelligence, digital platforms and next-generation networks reshape economies and public services.

Mugonyi noted regulation could no longer be limited to developing rules and enforcing compliance, but must also support innovation, protect consumers, promote fair competition and expand access to digital services.

The CA DG said the rapid pace of technological change was also creating difficult regulatory questions around competition, consumer protection, cybersecurity, online safety, digital trust, inclusion and sustainable investment.

He urged participants to use the forum to share practical experiences and develop regulatory approaches that reflect African realities while drawing from international best practice.

Mugonyi said Kenya was already reviewing its regulatory framework to keep pace with changes in the communications sector.

📰 Source: Capital FM Kenya