African leaders announced today that the 50 largest cities of Africa, including Johannesburg, Lagos, Abidjan, Nairobi and Dar es Salaam will make free public WiFi available to all citizens by the end of June 2016. 

The surprise announcement was made through a spokesperson of the African Union, who said members will also soon endorse the African Declaration of Internet Rights and Freedoms, bringing all citizens of Africa much closer to enjoying freer access to affordable, broadband Internet. Leaders also pledged to rollout fiber to rural villages through tax breaks on technology and new deals with telecom service providers to offer last mile connectivity.

Internet and digital rights advocates applaud the African Union for this move, as do esteemed global leaders and cultural icons upon hearing the news today.

Says Archbishop Desmond Tutu, “Africa will no longer have the slowest and most expensive Internet in the world, thank goodness.”

Nigerian recording artist and “classic man” Jidenna, says, “Africa is going to play an even more pivotal role in the future of our planet now.”

Internet access is a key component of meeting development goals, although connectivity alone is just one piece of the puzzle.

With greater outreach and digital education initiatives, including to women and rural citizens, significant gains can be made in industry, governance, transparency and development.

Following this great news, all activities planned across the continent for a regional  #FASTAfrica Action Week (May 1-7, 2016) involving digital rights advocates in more than a dozen countries will be rebranded as celebrations. See more here: https://webwewant.org/fast-africa