Nigeria has emerged as Chairman of the Conference of Plenipotentiaries of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU), following the conclusion of the 7th Ordinary Session of the Conference of Plenipotentiaries (CPL-26) in Abuja.

The week-long conference also produced a new leadership for the continental telecommunications body, with Zambia’s Engr. Kezias Kazuba Mwale elected Secretary-General of the ATU for the 2027–2030 term after a keenly contested election that went through four rounds of voting.

Only 34 of the Union’s 52 member states participated in the voting. Mwale secured 21 votes in the decisive round to defeat South Africa’s Cynthia Leungo Lesufi, who polled eight votes, and Cameroon’s Ottou Valéry Hilaire, who received five votes. Tunisia’s Faysal Bayouli and Congo Republic’s Luc Missidimbazi also contested the election.

The conference, hosted by the Federal Government through the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, brought together ministers, communications regulators, policymakers and industry leaders from across Africa to determine the Union’s strategic, financial and institutional direction for the next four years.

Nigeria assumed the chairmanship from Algeria, which had presided over the Conference of Plenipotentiaries since the sixth ordinary session held in Algiers in 2022.

Taking over the chairmanship on behalf of Nigeria, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, urged member states to sustain the spirit of cooperation demonstrated throughout the conference, saying the continent’s digital ambitions could only be realised through stronger collaboration.

He said the deliberations and decisions reached in Abuja reflected a common belief that Africa’s digital future would be stronger when countries worked together.

“The outcomes of this Conference are a testament not only to the strength of our institutions, but also to the collective determination of the people gathered here,” Tijani stated.

The minister noted that the resolutions adopted during the conference would only deliver meaningful results if member states continued to work together with mutual trust and a shared commitment to ensuring every African benefits from opportunities created by the digital economy.

He also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to working with other African countries to expand digital infrastructure, strengthen digital skills, promote responsible innovation and amplify Africa’s voice in global digital governance in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The Conference of Plenipotentiaries, convened every four years, is the highest decision-making organ of the ATU. It reviews the Union’s programmes, elects its leadership, approves strategic priorities and financial direction, and coordinates Africa’s common position on telecommunications and digital policy.

One of the major outcomes of this year’s conference was the adoption of the Abuja Declaration on Meaningful Connectivity for Africa, a policy framework that commits member states to expanding affordable and universal digital access across the continent.

The declaration outlines priorities including broadband expansion, technology-neutral regulation, improved access to spectrum and fibre infrastructure, digital inclusion, cybersecurity, consumer protection, digital affordability, digital literacy, capacity building and financing for digital development.

It also calls on the African Union Commission, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), regional economic communities, development partners, industry, academia and civil society organisations to work together in advancing meaningful connectivity and supporting the Sustainable Development Goals.

The conference equally elected 25 member states into the ATU Administrative Council for the next four-year cycle. West Africa will be represented by Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal and Togo, while Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia will represent North Africa.

Southern Africa secured six seats through Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Eastern Africa will be represented by Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, while Central Africa’s representatives are Burundi, Cameroon, Chad, the Republic of the Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The keenly contested election for Secretary-General was another defining moment of the conference.

Mwale, who currently serves as the ATU Director for Spectrum and has more than 23 years’ experience in the ICT sector, pledged to lead the organisation with transparency, inclusiveness and accountability.

Accepting his election, he described the mandate as a responsibility to serve all member states rather than a personal victory.

“This victory is not mine alone, nor does it belong to any one nation. It belongs to every member state represented here today and to every African who believes in the transformative power of digital technologies to improve lives and create opportunities for our people,” he said.

Drawing from an African proverb, he urged member states to remain united in pursuing the continent’s digital aspirations.

“If you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, go together. Today’s election has produced one Secretary-General, but our shared commitment remains one,” he said.

Mwale said he would work closely with governments, regulators, policymakers, the private sector, academia, civil society and development partners to build a stronger and more responsive ATU capable of expanding affordable connectivity, promoting digital inclusion, strengthening cybersecurity, fostering innovation and developing digital skills across Africa.

He will assume office on January 1, 2027, while the incumbent Secretary-General, John Omo of Kenya, will remain in office until the end of his tenure to supervise the transition.

Reflecting on the conference, Omo said member states had successfully completed the work before them by providing the Union with a clear mandate for the next four years.

He urged countries to maintain the trust and cooperation demonstrated in Abuja as they implement the decisions reached during the conference.

Delegates also commended Nigeria for successfully hosting the conference, describing the event as another indication of the country’s growing influence in advancing regional cooperation and shaping Africa’s digital future.