BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja
The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, has disclosed that effective partnership among African countries will transform global telecommunications and digital economy policies.
This was even as the Agency informed that Africa’s influence in international forums depends on the quality of its preparation, coherence of its positions, and consistency with which member states advance shared priorities.
Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida stated this at the 7th Ordinary Session of the African Telecommunications Union, ATU, Conference Preparatory Committee in Abuja.
The meeting was convened to prepare Africa’s common positions ahead of the International Telecommunication Union, ITU, Plenipotentiary Conference, PP-26, scheduled to hold in Doha, Qatar, later this year”.
Maida described the gathering as an important platform for building consensus on issues that will shape the future of telecommunications and the digital economy.
He stated that the participants would review the activities of the ATU from 2023 to 2026 and prepare recommendations, decisions and resolutions for consideration at the ATU Conference of Plenipotentiaries, CPL-26 during the session.
The committee will also examine Africa’s preparations for ITU PP-26, where key decisions affecting the future direction of the global telecommunications sector will be taken.
Maida harped on the need for more continuous and institutionalised regulatory cooperation among African administrations, saying that emerging issues such as spectrum harmonisation, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, digital trust, data protection and universal access require sustained collaboration beyond periodic conferences.
He maintained the importance of strengthening Africa’s technical participation in international telecommunications processes, including study groups, technical committees and regional preparatory meetings where standards and frameworks are developed.
The Vice Chairman was optimistic that a stronger African voice in global decision-making must be supported by technical expertise, credible evidence and consistent engagement.
Maida underscored the importance of ensuring that African perspectives are adequately reflected in global discussions on digital transformation, adding that the continent’s growing digital economy, expanding connectivity and youthful population make its contributions increasingly significant to the future of the global ICT ecosystem.
He acknowledged the contributions of the ATU Secretariat under the leadership of Secretary-General, Mr. John Omo, commending the Union’s efforts in promoting a more coordinated African voice within the ITU and other international platforms.
The Vice Chairman reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to supporting the ATU and advancing continental cooperation through the sharing of regulatory expertise, peer learning and active participation in regional and international telecommunications initiatives.
He was optimistic that the session would result in greater African alignment ahead of PP-26, as well as stronger mechanisms for inter-conference collaboration and renewed commitment to sustained technical participation in international telecommunications policy processes.
The Conference Preparatory Committee plays a critical role in strengthening Africa’s participation in global telecommunications policy discussions by enabling administrations to harmonise perspectives and develop technically sound common positions ahead of major international meetings.
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