 |
| Photo shows Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC Dr. Aminu Maida and the Executive Commissioner Stakeholder Management, NCC, Barr. Rimini Makama, congratulating Engr. Kezias Kazuba Mwale of Zambia (middle) as the newly elected Secretary General of the African Telecommunications Union, ATU, at the 7th Ordinary Session of the ATU Conference of Plenipotentiaries held in Abuja, Nigeria on July 24, 2026. |
At the Seventh Ordinary Session of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) Conference of Plenipotentiaries in Abuja, policymakers, regulators and industry leaders from across Africa met to map a shared vision for the continent’s digital future ahead of major international telecoms decisions.
Speaking for Vice President Kashim Shettima, the President’s Deputy Chief of Staff for the Vice President, Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, said Africa’s competitiveness will hinge on its ability to harness digital technologies and deepen regional cooperation.
Hadejia highlighted broadband expansion, artificial intelligence, cloud services, satellite communications and secure digital networks as key drivers of economic growth, innovation and improved public services. He urged coordinated continental action to widen connectivity, strengthen cybersecurity and promote responsible innovation so Africa can speak with a single, stronger voice in upcoming global telecommunications and digital governance forums.
“For Africa, this presents both an enormous opportunity and a profound responsibility. No single nation, regardless of its size or resources, can fully realise Africa’s digital ambitions in isolation. Our future depends on collaboration,” he said.
Also speaking at the conference, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy Dr. Bosun Tijani stressed the need for coordinated African participation in global digital policy and innovation ecosystems.
He pointed to the launch of the APLAS Network, an extension of Nigeria’s N-ATLAS initiative designed to speed development of locally relevant large language models and improve representation of African languages in AI technologies.
“Africa must continue to invest in home-grown innovation and ensure that emerging technologies reflect the continent’s unique realities, cultures and development priorities,” the minister said.
The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida, called the conference a vital forum for building consensus on issues central to Africa’s telecoms future and global representation. He said a united, coordinated approach would strengthen Africa’s influence in international fora and reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to regional cooperation and initiatives that amplify the continent’s voice.
“This is a very important moment for us in Nigeria, especially because of the elections coming up in which we will be contesting for some positions. As I mentioned during the opening ceremony, Africa’s unity in taking decision is important as we move forward and secure our place in the telecommunications sector,” Maida said.
He added that closer collaboration among African administrations will boost digital inclusion, accelerate infrastructure development and better position the continent to seize opportunities in the digital economy.
In his remarks, the Secretary-General of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU), John Omo, commended Nigeria and its partners for successfully hosting the conference and emphasized the importance of sustaining a common African voice in advancing the continent’s telecommunications and digital development objectives.
Similarly, the Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Doreen Bogdan-Martin, called for stronger African participation in shaping the global digital agenda, encouraging the continent to become a creator, innovator and contributor to future technologies and standards.
The conference also provided a platform for African candidates and Member States seeking election or re-election to positions within the ITU ahead of the 2026 ITU Plenipotentiary Conference. Participants agreed that a united African position remains essential to promoting the continent’s telecommunications, innovation and digital development aspirations.
Nigeria’s hosting of the conference underscored its commitment to advancing regional cooperation, driving digital transformation and supporting a stronger African presence in global telecommunications governance.
0 comments:
Post a Comment