Mawingu, East Africa’s leading Internet Service Provider (ISP) dedicated to rural and peri-urban communities, will champion digital inclusion and connectivity adoption at the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 80) in New York. Represented by our CEO, Farouk Ramji, Mawingu’s main engagements will be during the high-level General Debate week of 23–27 September 2025, where we will share our unique perspective on building inclusive, community-driven digital infrastructure.
UNGA 80 will bring together world leaders, policymakers, business executives, and changemakers to address pressing global challenges – with technology and digital transformation set to take centre stage in advancing sustainable development and inclusive growth.
Featured Events & Mawingu’s Role
Digital@UNGA 2025 – Anchor Event
Date & Time: September 23, 6:00–9:00 PM EST
Location: Delegates Dining Room, UN Headquarters
Hosted by International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to spotlight digital connectivity as a global public good, this anchor event emphasizes the role of inclusive innovation in bridging digital divides. Highlights include commitments to the UN’s Partner2Connect initiative.
Mawingu’s Contribution: Farouk will showcase Mawingu’s impact in rural East Africa, demonstrating how low-cost, community-based internet models enhance education, commerce, and socio-economic inclusion. In addition, he will highlight Mawingu’s inclusive approach, which extends connectivity solutions to institutions serving persons with disabilities—such as special needs schools—ensuring that no community is left behind in the digital transformation.
Tech & AI Forum @ UNGA 80
Date: September 23 (Afternoon)
Location: Studio Gather, Rockefeller Plaza
Fronted by Foreign Policy, this forum convenes leaders to discuss resilient infrastructure, AI governance, and digital equity.
Mawingu’s Contribution: Farouk will share real-world lessons from deploying scalable last-mile networks, underscoring how digital literacy and connectivity empower underserved communities to engage in the AI-enabled economy.
Unstoppable Africa
Dates: September 21–22
Location: Marriott Marquis Hotel
Organized under the Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI), this summit calls on African business, leadership, and investors to chart Africa’s economic renaissance through innovation and investment.
Mawingu’s Contribution: Farouk will position past Mawingu’s achievements as a strong investment case-showcasing connectivity’s role in accelerating digital education, MSME growth, and entrepreneurship across East Africa.
Beyond Aid: Partnering with Governments and Communities
Date: September 23 (Morning)
Location: Venue TBC
Hosted by Trickle Up and Village Enterprise, this session explores scalable partnerships rooted in local leadership.
Mawingu’s Contribution: Farouk will detail Mawingu’s collaborative approach, from licensing strategy to community training that enables sustainable, community-led connectivity interventions.
Digital Infrastructure Investments – DIII Working Group
Date & Time: September 24, 8:00–9:30 AM
Location: Microsoft’s UN Offices
A high-level dialogue on financing digital infrastructure and scaling impact across regions.
Mawingu’s Contribution: Farouk will share evidence-based deployment models and advocate for impact-aligned financing structures that make rural internet expansion viable and replicable across Africa.
Mawingu’s participation in these key events underscores a larger vision: that inclusive digital access, when rooted in community collaboration and smart financing, can shift development narratives in Africa. Farouk Ramji’s leadership at UNGA 80 spotlights that digital equity is transformative.
For more information on Mawingu’s participation at UNGA80, and to connect with us during the events, please reach out to Millie Abila at millie.abila@mawingu.co
We also welcome organizations and partners interested in collaborating with Mawingu or the Mawingu Foundation particularly on social impact initiatives around digital inclusion, education, and community empowerment—to connect with us in New York. Let’s explore how we can drive meaningful impact together.
