Accra, Ghana — est. 2019
Building the case for a digital economy that works for Africa.
ADEF is a Pan-African networking, research and advocacy platform engaging governments, industry, academia and young people to promote frameworks that maximize the dividends of a thriving digital economy for every African.
Digital inclusion, in practice
Skills, access and policy working together.
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African countries in our ambassador network
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mobile economy contribution to Africa's GDP in 2025 (GSMA)
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countries with active ADEF programs
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founded in Accra, Ghana
How we work
Three pillars, one mission
Intelligence
We commission and publish research that tracks how Africa's digital economy is actually developing — infrastructure, policy, investment and adoption — so decisions get made on evidence rather than assumption.
Advocacy
We work alongside governments, regulators and industry to push for the policies that let connectivity, data protection and digital identity work in favour of the people using them.
Inclusion
We run campaigns, workshops and school programs that put digital skills and tools directly in the hands of youth and underserved communities across the continent.
Our mission
To expand connectivity, affordable data access, innovation and full digitization of African economies as the basis for inclusive, sustainable development.
Our vision
Expanding opportunities in the digital economy for Africa’s sustainable development.
Why this matters
Africa's digital economy, in numbers
Africa is undergoing a significant transition toward technology-enabled, digitally driven economies. The opportunity is real and already generating hundreds of billions of dollars in value — but almost 1 billion Africans live within mobile broadband coverage and still don't use mobile internet, and a further 9% remain outside coverage entirely. Closing that gap is the work.
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contributed to Africa's economy by mobile technologies in 2025 — 7.8% of the continent's GDP
GSMA, Mobile Economy Africa 2026
$0B
projected mobile-economy contribution by 2030, driven by 4G/5G expansion and AI adoption
GSMA, Mobile Economy Africa 2026
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jobs supported by the mobile ecosystem, plus $45B in public-sector revenue in 2025
GSMA, Mobile Economy Africa 2026
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of Africa's population using the internet in 2025 — still below the global average
ITU
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registered mobile-money accounts across Sub-Saharan Africa, the world's leading mobile-money market
GSMA, Mobile Economy Africa 2026
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in mobile-money transactions recorded across Sub-Saharan Africa in 2024
GSMA, Mobile Economy Africa 2026
The objective isn't merely to build a connected Africa, but a digitally empowered, innovative and economically competitive one — where technology creates jobs, strengthens businesses, improves public services and expands regional trade for more than 1.5 billion Africans.
On the ground
Programs & campaigns
Sponsor the work
Back the next generation of Africa’s digital economy.
Your sponsorship can equip a school digital hub, support a youth skills workshop, or bring the right voices to the policy table. Together, we can turn opportunity into access.
Make an impact that lasts
- 01 Fund digital tools and training for young people.
- 02 Reach new communities through inclusive programs.
- 03 Align your organisation with practical progress.
In partnership with
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Add your voice to Africa’s digital future.
Membership connects you to policy briefings, research access and a continent-wide network working toward the same goal.