-Individual recipient of World Internet Conference Distinguished Contribution Award 

In his video address delivered on receiving the 2025 World Internet Conference (WIC) Distinguished Contribution Award, Lacina Koné, director general and CEO of Smart Africa, said he hopes to help build Africa into an inclusive, interconnected digital market with digital sovereignty. 

He called on the international community to jointly advance an inclusive, trust-based digital transformation, so that more African countries and people can enjoy the benefits of internet development.

Koné was presented with the award at this year's WIC Wuzhen Summit. In his remarks, he said the honor belonged not only to him personally, but also to the entire Smart Africa team and to the millions of Africans who strive to serve through digital transformation. 

"This award is a symbol of shared commitment, a reminder that when we connect, collaborate and co-create, we can shape a digital future that leaves no one behind," he said.

Koné noted that Smart Africa is on a mission to transform Africa into a unified digital market, a regional system that is inclusive, interoperable and grounded in digital sovereignty. 

Key priorities in this process include strengthening digital public infrastructure, harmonizing data governance frameworks, championing Africa's AI strategy and fostering a vibrant, locally driven digital economy through policy support, capacity building and investment in innovation.

"Digital sovereignty is not just about infrastructure or regulation. It's about dignity," he said, "It's about ensuring that African citizens, governments and startups have agency over the data, the network and their future."

He emphasized that the internet is one of the most powerful equalizing tools in today's world, but only if everyone could access it, afford it and use it effectively. The internet, he said, should not be treated as an ordinary commodity, but as a critical digital public good that empowers education, entrepreneurship and social development.

Currently, around 800 million people in Africa remain offline. Koné said this represents not only a daunting challenge, but also a tremendous opportunity. "There is a chance to leapfrog through innovation and ensure that digitalization truly benefits every African."

Koné also highlighted his long-standing engagement with the WIC. Since August 2024, cooperation between Smart Africa and the conference has continued to deepen, with productive exchanges on key issues such as digital infrastructure development and AI governance.

He expressed the hope that the WIC would continue to serve as a bridge linking Africa and other regions' digital forces with global innovation networks and promoting policy dialogues, technological exchanges and cooperation on AI ethics.

"There is an old African proverb: Wisdom is like a baobab tree and no one can embrace it alone," Koné said, adding that the same is true of digital development. "This is a shared endeavor, and only by moving forward together, can we create a future that is wiser and more inclusive," he noted.