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INTERMEDIA

AFRICA: PAVING THE DIGITAL WAY

31.07.2019
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By Russell Southwood and Steve Song

Sub-Saharan African countries have had over a decade of pioneering regulation that opened up competition and got communications services to a large number of people. But competition has turned to consolidation and the new data-driven future poses difficult challenges. The period from 1994-2010 will probably be seen as the golden age of regulation in Sub-Saharan Africa. New regulatory bodies issued licences to eager investors willing to compete with each other to make money in this new industry. The sheer thirst for services from the new mobile network operators (MNOs) drove growth at a dizzying pace.  It bought new wealth to the operators, business  and government (through new taxes) and it  opened up a world of new social and economic opportunities for Africa’s citizens.

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Regulation in Sub-Saharan Africa has hit a brick wall, write RUSSELL SOUTHWOOD and STEVE SONG. What changes are needed for a data-centric future?

Intermedia Issue:
Volume 47, Issue 02
Issue Date:
July 2019
Theme:
Competition Policy, Content: innovation, regulation and markets
Region:
Middle East & Africa
Russell Southwood Russell Southwood CEO, Balancing Act Steve Song Steve Song Specialist in ICT in Africa; Fellow, Mozilla Foundation

Volume 47, Issue 02 Features

EDITORIAL 31.07.2019 Marc Beishon
DIGITAL DEBATE 31.07.2019 Cristina Murroni
TAKING AIM AT BIG TECH 31.07.2019 Sébastien Soriano
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