The SAMENA Telecommunications Council and the World Broadband Association (WBBA) have formalized a strategic partnership by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This collaboration aims to boost broadband access, foster innovation, and align policies across the South Asia, Middle East, and North Africa (SA-ME-NA) region and beyond.
“Today’s MoU marks a shared commitment between the SAMENA Council and the WEBBA to fostering a digitally inclusive region,” said Bocar BA, CEO of SAMENA Council. “By joining forces with the WBBA, we aim to bring our regional expertise and multi-stakeholder engagement to the global broadband conversation—promoting collaborative approaches that advance connectivity, innovation, sustainability in investments for broadband development, greener deployment of broadband technology, and policy alignment, in general.”
Both non-profit organizations, key players in the telecommunications and ICT sectors, will work together to facilitate knowledge exchange, support standardization efforts, promote best practices, and enhance policy advocacy. Their joint efforts are focused on accelerating digital transformation within emerging markets.
“The WBBA is delighted to formalize this collaboration with the SAMENA Council,” said Martin Creaner, Director General, WBBA. “We see tremendous potential in working together to empower regional stakeholders, accelerate innovation, and support digital ecosystem partners in our efforts to materialize globally harmonized broadband development. This partnership is an important step toward unlocking scalable impact across emerging digital economies.”
Key areas of cooperation outlined in the MoU include expanding broadband access in underserved regions, supporting standardization for broadband customer premise equipment (CPE), and harmonizing policies and regulatory frameworks throughout the SA-ME-NA region. The partnership will also advocate for increased awareness of broadband development issues and foster collaboration on global and regional industry events and information sharing.
The MoU was signed by the WBBA’s Chairman of the Board, Dr. Li Zhengmao, and SAMENA Council’s CEO & Board Member, Bocar BA, during the SAMENA Council Leaders’ Summit 2025. The MoU represents a statement of shared intent, reflecting the Parties’ commitment to long-term engagement and coordinated action, while acknowledging its non-binding nature. As part of the agreement, the two organizations will also promote each other’s initiatives through mutual visibility in publications, digital platforms, and participation in industry activities. The MoU allows for future expansion of the partnership through supplementary agreements for specific joint projects or events. The MoU signing was followed by both trade associations co-chairing a broadband roundtable during the SAMENA Council Leaders’ Summit 2025, titled “Smarter Broadband: Investment. Innovation. Intelligence.”
