BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja
Vice President Kashim Shettima has challenged African countries to collaborate in developing affordable broadband connectivity, strengthening cybersecurity and promoting responsible Artificial Intelligence, AI, governance.
He stated this on Thursday in Abuja at the opening of the 7th Ordinary Session of the African Telecommunications Union, ATU, ahead of the forthcoming 2026 ITU Plenipotentiary Conference in Doha, Qatar.
Shettima disclosed that effective partnership will accelerate digital trade, adding that no single nation, regardless of its size or resources, will fully realise Africa’s digital ambitions in isolation.
The Vice President stated that Nigeria is committed to the African Union’s Agenda and the Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa through sustained investments in broadband expansion, digital infrastructure, AI, innovation, cybersecurity and digital skills.
He pointed out that Africa must assume a stronger role in shaping global digital policies so as to protect its priorities and interests, noting that Africa’s digital ambitions could only be achieved through collective action and stronger regional institutions.
“Our future depends on collaboration and institutions such as the ATU to provide the platform through which Africa can coordinate its priorities and speak with greater influence on issues affecting our shared digital future.
“This preparatory meeting provides us with an opportunity to build consensus ahead of the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference and strengthen Africa’s common positions on key policy issues.
“When Africa speaks with one voice, our influence is amplified, our priorities receive greater attention and our collective interests are better protected,” he said.
Represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Sen. Ibrahim Hadejia, he stated that digital technologies had become the backbone of modern economies, making broadband infrastructure, AI, cloud computing, satellite communications and secure digital networks as essential as roads, railways and electricity.
To this end, he enjoined African countries to strengthen regional cooperation and adopt a common position on global digital governance.
He pleaded with member states to conduct a transparent and credible election of new ATU leadership, describing strong regional institutions as essential to Africa’s digital transformation.
The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani insisted that the conference provided an opportunity for Africa to unite for the future of telecommunications and digital economy.
He stated that the continent must arrive at the 2026 ITU Plenipotentiary Conference united, technically prepared and ready to influence global digital policy decisions, adding that more reforms, stronger partnerships and coordinated actions are necessary to maximise Africa’s digital potential.
He described AI as one of the greatest opportunities for Africa’s transformation, saying that roughly two per cent of African languages were currently supported by modern AI systems.
Tijani announced the launch of the ATLAS Network, a continental initiative he believed will accelerate the development of African large language models.
Comments
Post a Comment