The mobile industry is committed to supporting Africa's development goals and the digitalisation objectives of AU Agenda 2063. But rising fuel costs and supply pressures are putting network operations at risk – a challenge felt across fuel-dependent markets globally. Where digital gaps remain greatest, fuel shortages don't just disrupt telecom operations; they threaten essential services, economic activity and broader digital progress.

Resilient connectivity is also a powerful ally for governments navigating economic pressure. Reliable networks sustain commerce, digital payments, emergency coordination and remote access to services, reducing unnecessary travel and supporting communities when it matters most. Protecting network continuity is therefore not a sector-specific concern, but a national development priority.

The GSMA is calling for urgent, coordinated action between governments, regulators and industry to protect essential services: 

• Immediately: prioritise fuel access for telecom networks and provide targeted relief where outages are linked to supply constraints. 
• Medium term: treat telecoms as critical national infrastructure, adopt shared-responsibility models for site protection and support investment in alternative and renewable power solutions. 
• Long term: embed telecom energy resilience into national digital, energy and security strategies to create the stable frameworks needed for sustainable investment.

The mobile industry is already acting – improving energy efficiency, protecting critical sites and continuing to invest. The GSMA and its members remain committed to working with governments, regulators and operators to keep Africa connected, protect gains in digital inclusion, and build more resilient digital economies for the future.