The GSMA, in collaboration with the mobile industry, has called for greater collective efforts to protect children online across Africa.
In a statement signed by the Head of Sub-Saharan Africa at the GSMA, Angela Wamola, and made available to PUNCH Online on Monday, she noted that Africa’s rapid digital transformation has left children increasingly vulnerable to cyberbullying, harmful content, and online exploitation.
“Protecting children online is a responsibility shared across governments, industry, civil society, and families. By working together, we can ensure the digital environment becomes a place of opportunity, not risk, for Africa’s children.
“This white paper is an important step in supporting stakeholders across the region as they advance this urgent agenda,” Wamola said.
She noted that recognising both the opportunities and challenges of the digital environment, the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child had dedicated the 2023 Day of the African Child to the theme of online safety, highlighting the need for coordinated, cross-sector action.
In a white paper titled “Enhancing Child Online Protection in Sub-Saharan Africa”, the GSMA recommended several urgent measures. These include ensuring child- and youth-centred approaches in policy and programme development, strengthening national frameworks in line with the African Union’s child online safety and empowerment strategy, expanding digital literacy and awareness campaigns for children, parents, and educators, and building stronger public-private partnerships to increase the reach of tools, services, and resources.
The Regional Advisor for Child Protection at UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa, Nankali Maksud, also spoke on the matter. She said children and young people under 18 make up half of Africa’s population, stressing that safeguarding their online safety is not just about protecting rights but also about investing in the continent’s human capital and future leaders.
“This white paper helps elevate African voices, African leadership, and African solutions for protecting children in the digital space. We at UNICEF look forward to co-hosting a task force for GSMA to take forward the recommendations emerging from this white paper,” Maksud said.
She added that the whitepaper integrates regional data, including findings from IPSOS research commissioned by MTN Group, and includes insights from 19-year-old youth advocate Jemima Kasongo from the Democratic Republic of Congo, who opened the roundtable during MWC25 with a strong appeal on behalf of young people across the continent.
The GSMA noted that it and its members in Africa have collaborated to identify common challenges, amplify youth voices, and highlight where governments, industry, and civil society can reinforce collective efforts. While the white paper focuses on Africa, it also builds on GSMA’s global work, including new guidance on incorporating youth perspectives in digital policy and design.
“The GSMA encourages all stakeholders to engage with the recommendations and join the ongoing dialogue to help ensure a safer digital future for Africa’s children,” the statement added.
