The Group said despite progress of mobile internet penetration in Sub-Saharan Africa, a substantial usage gap of 60 per cent remains.

This gap according to the Group represented 710 million people, who live within network coverage but face barriers such as device affordability.

The MWC Barcelona 2025 opened on March 3, 2025, and was expected to end on March 6, 2025, on the theme "Converge. Connect. Create.

The Group is made up of Airtel, Axian Telecom, Ethiotel, MTN, Orange, and Vodacom.
On the theme "Strategic Partnerships for Accelerating Digital Transformation in Africa" the meeting gathered key stakeholders from the telecommunications industry, global institutions, and the public sector to drive coordinated action towards sustainable investment.

The G6, in collaboration with the GSMA, has also made significant progress on its original three core priorities: Fiscal Policy Reforms, Closing the Investment Gap, and Environmental Sustainability.

These initiatives underscored the role of strategic partnerships, data-driven advocacy, and evidence-based policymaking in addressing Africa's affordability challenges critical to ensure the sustainability of the investment necessary to close the digital divide.

A statement issued after the meeting said fiscal policy reforms for digital and financial inclusion, in alignment with global efforts to create more inclusive digital economies, had actively supported the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) in promoting sustainable tax policies.

The expansion of UNECA's report, "Reduction of Taxes for Low-end Smart Devices and Data in Select African Countries," to cover 52 African nations underscored the commitment to advocating for fiscal policies that improve smartphone affordability and narrow the digital divide.

The G6 called for stronger governmental engagement to adopt policies that enhance digital and financial inclusion for low-income populations.
It said the Group recognised that bridging Africa's digital divide required robust investment in broadband infrastructure and sustainable energy solutions.

Under the G6 mandate, the GSMA had engaged with global partners, including the World Bank Group, ITU, and GSMA Handset affordability coalition, to enhance access to affordable internet-enabled devices.

Additionally, the G6 has developed regulatory principles for fair contributions from Large Traffic Originators and Non- Terrestrial Networks (e.g., satellites) to ensure a more balanced digital ecosystem.

These efforts align with Africa's broader economic growth agenda, reinforcing the role of digitalization in fostering economic resilience and inclusion.
It said with digital transformation deeply intertwined with energy access, the G6 through the GSMA had aligned with initiatives such as Mission 300, spearheaded by the World Bank Group and the

African Development Bank (AfDB) to expand electricity access to 300 million Africans by 2030.
It said the telecom sector was committed to reducing its carbon footprint and championing sustainable energy solutions.

The report "Rural Renewal: Telcos and Sustainable Energy in Africa" outlines pathways for telecom operators to integrate green energy solutions into their operations, particularly in off-grid and underserved areas.

The statement said to reinforce its commitment to closing Africa's digital divide, the G6 had agreed to strengthen collaboration with ministries of finance, the World Bank and the IMF, to highlight the mobile industry's impact on economic growth.

It would also advocate for sector-specific tax removal on low-end smart devices and mobile money usage is critical to sustainably address the barriers for digital and financial inclusion.

The statement said it would promote the mobile sectors' value addition and enable effect to the GDP of our economies and the regulatory frameworks that attract equitable investment and partnerships to close the coverage gap which impacts 710 million people who do not have access to mobile internet.

"The sector continues to welcome innovative technologies addressing this challenge to reach terrestrial and non- terrestrial places to ensure that we leave no one behind and offline," it said.
The G6's meeting in Barcelona underscores a collective commitment to accelerating Africa's digital transformation through strategic partnerships, regulatory advocacy, and sustainable solutions.

As Africa navigates the dual challenges of digital and energy access, the G6 reaffirms its readiness to work with governments, global institutions, and industry players to drive inclusive growth, reduce the digital divide to leave no one behind in Africa.