NCC says Africa must speak with one voice on AI, cybersecurity, spectrum management and other key digital issues to increase its influence in global telecommunications….
The Federal Government has called on African countries to strengthen collaboration and adopt common positions on global telecommunications policies, arguing that greater coordination is essential if the continent is to play a more influential role in shaping the future of the digital economy.
The appeal was made on Monday by the Executive Vice-Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Aminu Maida, during the opening of the 7th Ordinary Session of the Conference Preparatory Committee of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) in Abuja.
Speaking on behalf of the Federal Government, the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy and the NCC, Maida said Africa’s voice in international telecommunications discussions would be determined by the quality of its technical preparation and the ability of member states to present coordinated positions.
He noted that simply having large delegations at international meetings was no longer enough to influence global policy decisions.
According to him, countries that begin consultations early, build consensus and develop technically sound proposals are more likely to shape international outcomes than those that engage only after negotiations have advanced.
Maida described Nigeria’s hosting of the preparatory meeting as a reflection of the continent’s commitment to working together ahead of key decisions that will define the future of telecommunications and digital transformation.
He explained that the committee’s assignment is to prepare Africa’s common positions, recommendations and resolutions for both the upcoming African Telecommunications Union Conference of Plenipotentiaries and the 2026 International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Plenipotentiary Conference.
While the ATU meeting will determine the strategic direction of the continental body, he said the ITU conference will influence the leadership and policy priorities of the global telecommunications sector.
The NCC chief stressed that Africa must use the opportunity to strengthen the ATU’s coordinating role while ensuring the continent participates effectively in global decision-making.
He identified several priority areas requiring closer cooperation among African regulators, including cross-border spectrum harmonisation, artificial intelligence governance, cybersecurity, data protection, digital inclusion and universal access to telecommunications services.
According to Maida, these emerging challenges cannot be addressed by individual countries acting alone, making sustained regional collaboration increasingly important.
He called for stronger institutional partnerships beyond periodic conferences, advocating continuous technical engagement, shared expertise and structured mechanisms for developing common African positions on international digital policy issues.
Maida also urged member states to become more actively involved in drafting global telecommunications standards instead of waiting until negotiations are almost complete.
He said Africa’s objective should not be to oppose international standards but to ensure they reflect the continent’s unique realities, development priorities and technological needs.
Reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to the African Telecommunications Union, Maida pledged continued technical support, regulatory cooperation and knowledge sharing to strengthen digital development across the continent.
Also addressing the meeting, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Nadungu Gagare, said Nigeria remains committed to working closely with other ATU member states to promote digital integration, innovation and sustainable economic growth.
He expressed confidence that the committee’s deliberations would produce recommendations capable of strengthening the African Telecommunications Union and advancing inclusive digital development across the continent.
Earlier, ATU Secretary-General John Omo said the preparatory committee plays a critical role in building consensus before major policy proposals are presented to the Conference of Plenipotentiaries.
He disclosed that the union’s membership has expanded from 49 to 52 member states over the past four years, while associate membership increased from 50 to 56 organisations. He added that the organisation has also introduced academia as a new membership category, with 18 academic institutions now participating in its activities.
According to Omo, the ATU has recorded progress in broadband spectrum management, satellite communications, internet governance, rural broadband expansion, internet exchange points, telecommunications standardisation and digital infrastructure resilience.
He, however, urged member countries to improve the consistency of their financial contributions to enable the union to implement its programmes more effectively, noting that the forthcoming Conference of Plenipotentiaries will elect a new Secretary-General and members of the Administrative Council for the 2027–2031 term.
