Progress
45%Aim
The Pan-African E-Network connects African universities, hospitals, and government institutions through a shared digital infrastructure, with the evolved mandate now focused on delivering broadband connectivity, digital services, and a harmonised regulatory environment across all 55 AU member states.
Progress to date
The original India-funded satellite network, discontinued in 2017, has given way to the AU Digital Transformation Strategy 2020 to 2030. The Smart Africa Alliance, with more than 40 member countries, is the primary coordination vehicle, advancing shared policies on data governance, cloud infrastructure, and cross-border digital services.
Challenges
Only about 40% of Africans have reliable internet access, infrastructure costs remain high in landlocked and rural areas, and the absence of a unified data-protection framework fragments the emerging continental digital market.
Next steps
The AU is accelerating the Single African Digital Market framework, expanding the AXIS internet exchange network, and targeting universal broadband access at an affordable price for all Africans by 2030.