The GSMA, in collaboration with the mobile industry, is urging unified action to enhance online safety for children across Africa. Drawing from discussions at a high-level roundtable
held during the Ministerial Programme at MWC25 Barcelona, the GSMA has published a new whitepaper titled Enhancing Child Online Protection in Sub-Saharan Africa. This document offers targeted recommendations to guide policymakers, regulators, the private sector, civil society, and youth advocates in creating a safer digital world for children.
As Africa experiences rapid digital growth, more children are gaining internet access, primarily through mobile phones. Given that the region is predominantly mobile-first, safeguarding children’s rights online has become increasingly important. International frameworks like the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC) establish key principles for ensuring that children’s rights are upheld in the digital age. Mobile technology can play a vital role in supporting these rights, a concept explored in the 2019 GSMA-UNICEF report Enhancing Children’s Lives through Mobile. Despite being published years ago, its insights remain relevant and continue to influence the GSMA’s work. In partnership with UNICEF, the GSMA will now co-lead a new regional taskforce to implement the whitepaper’s recommendations and encourage stronger collaboration among stakeholders.
Mobile connectivity brings opportunities for learning, communication, and personal growth. However, it also introduces risks such as cyberbullying, exposure to harmful content, and online exploitation. In recognition of these challenges, the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child made this topic the focus of the 2023 Day of the African Child. This emphasis highlights the urgent need for collective action across sectors.
The GSMA and its African partners have united to address shared concerns, amplify youth perspectives, and identify ways to improve coordination among governments, industry players, and civil society.
The whitepaper outlines several key actions, including:
- Developing policies and programs that prioritize children’s and young people’s needs
- Strengthening national frameworks based on the African Union’s Child Online Safety and Empowerment Strategy
- Promoting digital literacy and awareness among children, parents, and educators
- Fostering public-private partnerships to expand access to tools, resources, and support services
“Protecting children online is a responsibility that must be shared by governments, industry, civil society, and families. When we collaborate, we can transform the digital space into one of opportunity rather than danger for children across Africa. This whitepaper marks an important milestone in advancing that goal,” said Angela Wamola, Head of Sub-Saharan Africa, GSMA.
“Half of Africa’s population is under 18. Safeguarding their digital safety is not only about protecting their rights, but also about securing the continent’s future. This whitepaper brings forward African voices and solutions. UNICEF is proud to co-host a taskforce with GSMA to implement these recommendations,” said Nankali Maksud, Regional Advisor for Child Protection, UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa.
The whitepaper also features 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. Kasongo opened the MWC25 roundtable with a strong message on behalf of young people throughout Africa.
GSMA emphasizes that protecting children online is a global concern, and various international efforts are already underway. One such initiative, the GSMA Mobile Alliance to Combat Digital Child Sexual Exploitation, unites global mobile operators to share best practices and strengthen worldwide responses. Although this whitepaper focuses on Africa, it reflects the GSMA’s broader commitment, including new guidance on involving young people in shaping digital policy and technology solutions.
The GSMA invites all stakeholders to engage with the whitepaper’s recommendations and be part of an ongoing conversation to help secure a safer online future for Africa’s youth.
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