According to Isaías Barreto, ECOWAS Commissioner for Information and Communication Technologies, such a decision would be very important as telecommunications costs in the sub-region are very high when compared to the purchasing power of the populations.

Barreto also said that the ICT ministers are expected to approve the Draft Additional Act on Universal Access to include internet access, aside from mobile telephony access as envisaged in the original text from 2007. Barreto pointed out that the goal is not free internet access for all ECOWAS citizens, but rather more affordable access.

The event is organized by the Government of Cape Verde in partnership with the National Communications Agency (ANAC).