Mawingu will participate in the World Bank Group (WBG) Global AI and Digital Summit 2026, taking place on 20 October 2026 in Seoul, South Korea. Farouk Ramji, CEO of Mawingu Group, will bring an African perspective to global discussions on universal connectivity, digital inclusion and the challenges of extending internet access to underserved communities in the age of artificial intelligence.  

The Summit comes at a time when an estimated 2.6 billion people worldwide remain offline, highlighting persistent inequalities in access to digital infrastructure and services. As artificial intelligence creates new demands on digital infrastructure and attracts investment, questions remain about how to ensure that efforts to advance AI do not leave underserved communities further behind. 

For many low-income and remote communities, extending connectivity remains challenging because of high infrastructure costs, affordability constraints and limited commercial incentives for investment. Addressing these barriers will require approaches that make connectivity expansion viable while ensuring that more people can access and benefit from digital services. 

The Summit will bring together government representatives, development finance institutions, technology providers and private-sector leaders from across the globe to examine the financing, policy and partnership models needed to expand connectivity, improve affordability and support the growth of the digital economy. 

Mawingu’s Engagement at the 2026 Global AI and Digital Summit

Farouk will participate in a plenary session titled “The Last 2.6 Billion: Is Universal Connectivity a Broken Promise in the AI Era?” The discussion will examine whether the global ambition of universal connectivity remains achievable as AI reshapes investment priorities and increases demand for more reliable and capable networks. 

Session Details 

Date: Tuesday, 20 October 2026 

Session: The Last 2.6 Billion: Is Universal Connectivity a Broken Promise in the AI Era? 

Time: 11:30 a.m.–12:45 p.m. (KST)  

Venue: Grand Ballroom, Grand Hyatt, Seoul, South Korea 

Mawingu Representative: Farouk Ramji, CEO, Mawingu Networks 

Mawingu’s participation will bring practical experience from underserved markets in Africa into a global discussion on how to make last-mile connectivity more accessible and commercially sustainable. The session will consider the role of public and private sector investment, enabling policies and partnerships in addressing the barriers that prevent communities from accessing meaningful connectivity. 

As artificial intelligence continues to reshape the global economy, expanding reliable and affordable internet access will be essential to ensuring that underserved communities can participate in the opportunities created by digital transformation. 

For more information about Mawingu’s participation in the 2026 World Bank Group Global AI and Digital Summit, please contact Millie Abila at millie.abila@mawingu.co