Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, has said stronger regional cooperation will be critical to accelerating Africa’s digital transformation and ensuring the continent is better positioned to harness emerging technologies.

 

Tijani made the call ahead of the 7th Ordinary Session of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) Conference of Plenipotentiaries (CPL-26), which Nigeria will host in Abuja on July 23 and 24.

 

He said as African countries accelerate their digital transformation efforts, there is an urgent need to deepen collaboration, develop common positions on emerging technologies and create policies that encourage investment, build digital talent and expand meaningful connectivity.

 

“As countries across our continent accelerate digital transformation, it is increasingly important that we strengthen regional cooperation, develop common positions on emerging technologies, and create enabling environments that attract investment,” Tijani said.

 

He added that such collaboration would also help build digital talent and expand meaningful connectivity across the continent.

 

According to the minister, Nigeria’s hosting of the conference reflects President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to building an innovation-driven economy while strengthening African cooperation on digital infrastructure, technology governance, skills development and investment.

 

The conference, which is the highest decision-making body of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU), will bring together ministers responsible for telecommunications, information and communication technology (ICT), and the digital economy from across Africa.

 

Regulators, senior government officials, industry leaders, academics and development partners are also expected to participate in discussions that will shape Africa’s digital and telecommunications agenda over the next four years.

 

Although statutory meetings began on July 16 with the Special Session of the ATU Administrative Council and have continued through the Conference Preparatory Committee, the ministerial conference on July 23 and 24 will serve as the main platform for taking policy decisions.

 

Among the issues slated for discussion are digital infrastructure, meaningful connectivity, spectrum management, artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, digital skills and institutional governance.

 

Delegates from the Union’s 52 member states are expected to adopt the ATU’s strategic direction and approve its budget and programme of work for the 2027-2031 cycle.

 

They will also elect the organisation’s next Secretary-General, determine the composition of its Administrative Council and consider Africa’s common proposals ahead of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Plenipotentiary Conference scheduled for later this year in Doha, Qatar.

 

A major highlight of the conference will be the Ministerial Dialogue on “Achieving Africa’s Meaningful Connectivity,” jointly organised by the ATU and the GSMA.

 

The dialogue will examine practical ways of expanding affordable, reliable and high-quality connectivity across the continent. Discussions will focus on infrastructure investment, service quality, affordability and ensuring that digital access translates into economic and social opportunities.

 

Secretary-General of the African Telecommunications Union, John Omo, said the conference presents an opportunity for member states to strengthen the Union’s capacity to deliver on Africa’s digital ambitions.

 

“The decisions taken in Abuja will determine ATU’s ability to support national priorities, sustain Africa’s participation in global fora and respond credibly to rapid technological change,” Omo said.

 

The conference is expected to conclude with the adoption of the Abuja Declaration, which will provide governments, regulators, industry and development partners with a common framework for advancing Africa’s digital transformation agenda.