Welcome to your course on Policy Implications of 5G in Africa!
5G is built on policy as much as on radio. Spectrum auctions, licensing regimes, technology neutrality and data-protection rules are the levers that decide whether the network ever exists, and whether African citizens can afford to use it. This focused course is for regulators, ministers and policy advisors who will shape those decisions over the next decade.
The curriculum grounds you in spectrum fundamentals and the frequency bands that 5G depends on, then turns to the policy impact of spectrum and licensing choices, the strategy for getting them right, and the role of regulators in implementation. It is short, technical where it needs to be, and ends with a project that asks you to apply the policy lens to your own country.
By mastering these concepts, you will be equipped to evaluate and shape the spectrum, licensing and regulatory decisions that determine 5G outcomes in your context.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
- Explain the spectrum fundamentals and frequency bands that 5G deployment depends on.
- Analyse the policy impact of spectrum auctions, licensing regimes and technology-neutrality decisions.
- Apply a structured strategy to spectrum and licensing choices in your national context.
- Evaluate the regulator's role in implementation and the trade-offs that shape affordability and access.
Who is this course for?
This course is designed for regulators, ministers, and policy advisors across Africa. It is highly beneficial for individuals who are:
- Responsible for spectrum policy, licensing, or auction design at national or regional level.
- Advising ministers or regulators on the regulatory choices that shape 5G rollout.
- Seeking to align 5G policy with affordability, universal access, and national digital strategy.