Johannesburg, South Africa / Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago –  April 2026

In a defining step for global digital collaboration, two rapidly advancing regions are poised to shape the future of the digital economy. The Technology Information Confederation Africa (TICON Africa) and CANTO have formed a strategic partnership that will connect Africa and the Caribbean.

A Partnership Built on Complementary Strengths

Headquartered in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, CANTO represents a diverse network spanning 33 Caribbean countries, including telecommunications operators, regulators, and technology providers. Its ecosystem includes major industry players in the region, alongside strategic partnerships with organisations like the Caribbean Telecommunications Union and the International Telecommunication Union.

TICON Africa, by contrast, operates as a pan-African professional body, driving ICT advancement through conferences, research initiatives, policy dialogue, and skills development programmes across the continent.

Together, the two organisations offer a powerful combination of:

• Industry reach and market access across the Caribbean
• Continental professional coordination and research depth across Africa
• Shared priorities in digital policy, trust, resilience, workforce readiness, and innovation

Teresa Wankin, the Secretary General of CANTO, had the following to share about the partnership:

“For 40 years, CANTO has championed the Caribbean’s digital future and this partnership with TICON Africa marks an exciting new chapter in that journey. Africa and the Caribbean are not distant counterparts; we are parallel economies navigating the same digital imperatives, and we have far more to gain from collaboration than from operating in silos. Through this partnership, we are creating a genuine bridge, one that connects our industries, elevates our voices on the global stage, and places women and youth where they belong: at the centre of the conversation. We look forward to building something that is lasting, practical, and transformative for both regions.”

David Gowu, President of TICON Africa, reflected on the significance of the partnership and the opportunities it creates for deeper Africa–Caribbean digital cooperation:

“This partnership with CANTO represents an important milestone in TICON Africa’s mission to connect Africa’s ICT professionals, institutions, and innovation ecosystems with like-minded partners across the world. Africa and the Caribbean share strong historical ties, but we also share a common digital future, one shaped by the need for trusted infrastructure, relevant skills, inclusive leadership, and practical collaboration. Through this partnership, we want to move beyond dialogue and create real opportunities for knowledge exchange, professional development, research, policy engagement, and youth and women’s participation in the digital economy. TICON Africa is proud to work with CANTO in building a bridge between our regions that is purposeful, inclusive, and focused on long-term impact.”

Introducing the First Joint Initiative: Mid-Year Digital Masterclass

TICON Africa and CANTO will co-host a high-level virtual event on the topic:

Bridging Africa and the Caribbean’s Digital Future
Positioning Women & Youth at the Centre of Digital Cooperation

11 June 2026 | 60-minute Digital Masterclass & Open Discussion

This masterclass will serve as the inaugural platform for Africa–Caribbean ICT engagement under the new partnership, creating a focused, high-impact space for dialogue, exchange, and collaboration across the two regions.

This event will advance collaboration across key areas of the digital ecosystem, including:

• Trusted and Resilient ICT Ecosystems – Exploring cybersecurity, digital trust, standards, and regulatory alignment

• Talent, Skills, and Leadership Pathways – Focusing on AI-era capabilities, workforce readiness, youth development, and women’s leadership

• Innovation, Trade, and Institutional Partnerships – Unlocking opportunities for cross-regional collaboration, entrepreneurship, and digital trade

The session will feature balanced representation from Africa and the Caribbean, with dedicated contributions from both women leaders and emerging youth voices.

Participants will include ICT professionals, policymakers, startups, academics, and development partners, ensuring a dynamic and inclusive exchange that reflects the full breadth of the digital ecosystem.

Register for the masterclass here.

Building Momentum Toward 2026 Global Engagements

The Mid-Year Digital Summit forms part of a broader implementation roadmap that will extend into both organisations’ flagship events:

• The CANTO Annual Conference and Trade Exhibition (9–12 August 2026, Dominican Republic)
• The TICON Africa Conference (23–25 September 2026, Livingstone, Zambia) – jointly hosted with the African Marketing Confederation (AMC) and the African Supply Chain Confederation (ASCON).

Insights and connections generated during the June summit will directly inform discussions, partnerships, and programme development at both conferences, ensuring continuity and sustained engagement.

A Shared Vision for the Digital Future

This partnership reflects the growing recognition that Africa and the Caribbean face parallel digital challenges and share significant untapped potential for collaboration.

By combining CANTO’s industry-driven networks with TICON Africa’s professional and research ecosystem, the partnership establishes a platform that is not only collaborative, but also practical, scalable, and outcome-oriented.