By Anifowoshe Oladipupo
The Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA), in collaboration with the mobile industry, is calling for greater collective action to protect children online across Africa.
This appeal was made in a statement signed by Angela Wamola, Head of Sub-Saharan Africa at the GSMA, and shared with PUNCH Online following a high-level roundtable in Barcelona, Spain.
Wamola noted that as Africa’s digital transformation accelerates, children are becoming increasingly vulnerable to cyberbullying, harmful content, and online exploitation.
“Protecting children online is a shared responsibility involving governments, industry, civil society, and families,” she said. “By working together, we can transform the digital environment into one of opportunity, not risk for Africa’s children. This whitepaper is a vital tool to help stakeholders advance this urgent agenda.”
The GSMA whitepaper, titled “Enhancing Child Online Protection in Sub-Saharan Africa,” outlines key recommendations including the adoption of child- and youth-centered approaches in policy and program development, strengthening national frameworks in line with the African Union’s strategy on child online safety, expanding digital literacy for children, parents, and educators, and building stronger public-private partnerships to scale protection tools and services.
Wamola noted that the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child dedicated the 2023 Day of the African Child to online safety, further underlining the importance of regional cooperation on the issue.
Also speaking, Nankali Maksud, Regional Advisor for Child Protection at UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa, emphasized that children under 18 account for nearly half of Africa’s population.
“Protecting children online isn’t just about safeguarding rights, it’s about investing in Africa’s human capital and future leadership,” she said. “This whitepaper elevates African voices, leadership, and solutions for digital child protection. We at UNICEF look forward to co-hosting a task force with GSMA to implement its recommendations.”
The whitepaper incorporates regional data, including findings from IPSOS research commissioned by MTN Group, and insights from youth advocate Jemima Kasongo, 19, from the Democratic Republic of Congo, who opened the MWC25 roundtable with a passionate call to action.
GSMA noted that its members across Africa have come together to highlight shared challenges, amplify youth voices, and identify collaborative solutions among governments, tech companies, and civil society.
“Though focused on Africa, this whitepaper is part of GSMA’s global commitment to include young voices in shaping digital policy and solutions,” the statement added. “We urge all stakeholders to engage with the recommendations and help ensure a safer digital future for African children.”
