The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has called on African countries to strengthen collaboration and present a common position ahead of the 2026 International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Conference, saying a unified approach will give the continent greater influence in shaping global telecommunications and digital economy policies.
Speaking at the opening of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) Conference Preparatory Committee meeting in Abuja, Aminu Maida, the executive vice chairman of the NCC, said Africa must move beyond fragmented national interests and work collectively on issues that will define the future of the digital economy.
According to him, the continent’s impact at international negotiations will be determined not by the number of delegates attending global conferences but by the quality of its technical preparations and the consistency of the positions it presents.
He said the preparatory meeting was designed to harmonise Africa’s priorities before the ITU Conference while also laying the groundwork for stronger cooperation among member states on emerging regulatory and technology issues.
“Preparation is not a procedural step; it is the place where coherence is built,Africa must prepare together, work together and arrive at global forums with solutions that are both coherent and technically compliant” Maida said.
He explained that participants would review the African Telecommunications Union’s activities between 2023 and 2026 and prepare agenda items, resolutions and recommendations for consideration at the union’s 18th Conference of Plenipotentiaries.
Maida noted that while the upcoming ATU conference would determine the strategic direction of the continental body, the ITU Conference would set global priorities for telecommunications development, making it imperative for African countries to coordinate their positions before the event.
He identified spectrum management, artificial intelligence governance, cybersecurity, data protection, universal connectivity and digital infrastructure as some of the policy areas where Africa must speak with one voice.
According to him, the complexity of these issues makes regional cooperation indispensable.
“No administration can address these challenges effectively in isolation. Our regulatory cooperation must therefore become more continuous, more technical and more institutionalised,” he said.
He added that Africa’s objective is not to oppose international standards but to contribute meaningfully to developing frameworks that reflect both global best practices and the continent’s unique realities.
Maida also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to supporting the ITU process by sharing regulatory expertise, strengthening technical cooperation and promoting peer learning among African telecommunications administrations.
Earlier, Nadungu Gagare, permanent secretary of the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, described the gathering as a critical platform for advancing Africa’s digital transformation agenda.
He said the committee’s recommendations would serve as the foundation for decisions at the forthcoming ATU Conference of Plenipotentiaries and expressed optimism that the meeting would reinforce the union’s capacity to drive inclusive and sustainable digital development across Africa.
Also addressing participants, John Omo, ATU secretary-general said the preparatory committee plays a central role in reviewing proposals and developing common African positions before the plenipotentiary conference.
He revealed that the union’s membership has expanded from 49 to 52 countries, while associate membership has increased from 50 to 56 organisations. In addition, participation by academic institutions has risen to 18, reflecting growing collaboration between policymakers, industry and researchers.
Omo said the ATU has recorded progress in broadband deployment, satellite communications, spectrum coordination, internet governance, rural broadband expansion, standardisation and the resilience of digital infrastructure.
He, however, warned that irregular financial contributions from some member states continue to threaten the effective implementation of the union’s programmes, stressing the need for more predictable funding.
He further disclosed that the forthcoming ATU Conference will elect a new Secretary-General and members of the Administrative Council for the 2027–2031 term.
The meeting attracted delegates from telecommunications regulators, governments, academia, industry players and development partners from across Africa to discuss strategies for strengthening the continent’s voice in global digital governance and telecommunications policy.
