Nigeria Rallies Africa to Strengthen Influence in Global Telecommunications
Welcoming delegates from across the continent, Maida described the preparatory committee as a vital platform for building consensus on policies that will shape the future of telecommunications and the digital economy.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has called for stronger collaboration among African countries to enhance the continent’s influence in shaping global telecommunications and digital economy policies ahead of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Plenipotentiary Conference (PP-26), scheduled to take place later this year in Doha, Qatar.
The call was made by the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, during the opening of the 7th Ordinary Session of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) Conference Preparatory Committee in Abuja. He said the meeting was convened to develop Africa’s common positions for PP-26, enabling member states to present a united voice on key international telecommunications issues.
Welcoming delegates from across the continent, Maida described the preparatory committee as a vital platform for building consensus on policies that will shape the future of telecommunications and the digital economy. He stressed that Africa’s ability to influence decisions in international forums depends on thorough preparation, coordinated positions, and sustained cooperation among member states. According to him, the committee plays a critical role in harmonizing perspectives and developing technically sound proposals ahead of major global meetings.
During the session, participants are expected to review the activities of the African Telecommunications Union between 2023 and 2026, consider recommendations and resolutions for presentation at the ATU Conference of Plenipotentiaries (CPL-26), and assess Africa’s readiness for the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference. Maida noted that the decisions taken during these meetings will help shape the future direction of the global telecommunications sector.
The NCC chief also emphasized the need for continuous and institutionalized regulatory cooperation across Africa. He said emerging issues such as spectrum harmonization, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, digital trust, data protection, and universal access require ongoing collaboration beyond periodic conferences. He called for stronger African participation in international telecommunications study groups, technical committees, and regional preparatory meetings where global standards and regulatory frameworks are developed.
Maida further highlighted the importance of ensuring that Africa’s perspectives are adequately reflected in global discussions on digital transformation. He noted that the continent’s rapidly expanding digital economy, growing connectivity, and youthful population position Africa as an increasingly important contributor to the future of the global ICT ecosystem.
While acknowledging the efforts of the African Telecommunications Union Secretariat under the leadership of Secretary-General John Omo, Maida commended the organization’s work in promoting a more coordinated African voice within the ITU and other international platforms. He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to supporting the ATU through regulatory expertise, peer learning, and active participation in regional and international telecommunications initiatives.
He expressed confidence that the preparatory session would strengthen Africa’s alignment ahead of PP-26, establish stronger mechanisms for inter-conference collaboration, and reinforce the continent’s commitment to sustained technical participation in shaping global telecommunications policy.
