African countries have been urged to move beyond being passive adopters of global technology policies and instead take a leading role in shaping the rules governing artificial intelligence (AI), spectrum management, digital identity and other emerging technologies.

 

The call comes as the continent’s rapidly expanding digital economy, growing mobile connectivity and youthful population continue to strengthen its influence on the future of global digital governance, making it imperative for Africa to help shape international policies rather than merely respond to them.

 

This was noted on Monday by the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr Aminu Maida, at the opening of the 7th Ordinary Session of the Conference Preparatory Committee (CPC-26) of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) in Abuja.

 

The two-day meeting is expected to harmonise Africa’s common positions ahead of the ATU Conference of Plenipotentiaries (CPL-26) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Plenipotentiary Conference scheduled to hold in Doha, Qatar, in November, where critical decisions on the future of global telecommunications and the digital economy will be taken.

 

Maida said Africa’s influence in international digital policy discussions would not be determined by the size of its delegations but by the quality of its preparations, the strength of its technical contributions and the ability of member states to present unified positions.

 

According to him, the continent has become one of the world’s fastest-growing digital regions, driven by widespread mobile adoption, innovation in digital financial services and millions of young people coming online each year.

 

“Africa is one of the world’s most dynamically digital regions. The scale of mobile adoption, the innovation we have seen in digital financial services, and the number of young people coming online means that decisions on spectrum, digital identity, artificial intelligence, connectivity, and digital trust will have profound consequences across our continent,” he said.

 

He stressed that African countries must be involved from the beginning of global policy discussions rather than reacting after key decisions have already been made.

 

“African perspectives should therefore not be treated as an afterthought. They should form part of the discussion from the outset.”

 

Maida noted that the committee would review the activities of the African Telecommunications Union between 2023 and 2026, consider reports on Africa’s preparations for the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference and develop common positions on agenda items, resolutions and recommendations to be presented at both continental and global meetings.

 

He identified spectrum harmonisation, governance of artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data protection, digital trade and universal access to communications services as some of the pressing issues requiring stronger regulatory cooperation among African countries.

 

The NCC chief argued that collaboration should not be limited to conferences, urging member states to establish continuous mechanisms for technical engagement through regular consultations, designated national focal points, shared technical evidence and sustained participation in ITU study groups and standards development processes.

 

“Africa’s influence in international forums does not depend simply on the size of our delegations or the number of interventions we make. It depends on the quality of our preparation, the coherence of our positions, and the consistency with which we advance them,” he said.

 

He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to supporting the African Telecommunications Union through technical expertise, peer learning and active participation in regional and international telecommunications initiatives.

 

Also speaking, Secretary-General of the African Telecommunications Union, John Omo, described the preparatory committee as a critical stage in the union’s decision-making process, saying much of the work that would eventually be adopted at the Conference of Plenipotentiaries begins at the committee level.

 

He commended the Federal Government, the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy and the NCC for hosting the meeting and supporting preparations for the plenipotentiary conference.

 

Omo disclosed that the union had expanded its membership over the past four years, growing from 49 to 52 member states, while associate membership increased from 50 to 56 organisations. He added that academia had also been admitted as a new membership category, with 18 African academic institutions now participating in the union’s activities.

 

According to him, the ATU has strengthened Africa’s engagement on major technology issues, including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, satellite communications, child online safety, internet governance, rural broadband, submarine cable resilience and internet infrastructure.

 

The secretary-general, however, expressed concern over inconsistent financial contributions from member states, saying the funding challenge had constrained the union’s planning and programme implementation despite growing expectations.

 

He urged delegates to use the Abuja meeting to strengthen the institution’s governance framework and financial sustainability while preparing the continent to speak with one voice at forthcoming global telecommunications meetings.

 

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Engr. Nadungu Gagare, who represented the Minister, Dr. Bosun Tijani, said the committee’s deliberations would provide the foundation for decisions to be taken at the ATU Conference of Plenipotentiaries.

 

He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to working with member states to deepen regional cooperation, promote digital innovation and accelerate inclusive digital development across Africa, expressing confidence that the committee would produce recommendations capable of strengthening the African Telecommunications Union and advancing the continent’s digital transformation.