Nigeria Seeks United African Position on Telecom, Digital Future Ahead of ITU Doha Conference

The Federal Government has called on African countries to adopt a common position on key telecommunications and digital development issues ahead of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Plenipotentiary Conference scheduled for November in Doha, Qatar.

The call was made on Thursday at the 7th Ordinary Session of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) Conference of Plenipotentiaries (CPL-26) in Abuja, where ministers, regulators and industry leaders gathered to harmonise Africa’s priorities before the global conference.

The ministerial meeting followed the Conference Preparatory Committee and the African Heads of Regulators Roundtable, held in Abuja earlier in the week.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, represented by Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hadeija, said digital technology has evolved beyond being a development enabler to becoming a major driver of economic growth and national competitiveness.

He stressed that Africa’s digital aspirations could only be achieved through stronger regional collaboration.

“No single nation, regardless of its size or resources, can fully realise Africa’s digital ambitions in isolation. Our future depends on collaboration,” Shettima said.

He urged African countries to work together to expand affordable broadband access, strengthen cybersecurity, promote responsible artificial intelligence governance, harmonise technical standards, improve spectrum management and accelerate digital trade across the continent.

According to him, the African Telecommunications Union remains a critical platform for building consensus and enabling Africa to speak with one voice on issues shaping the continent’s digital future.

“Our collective efforts are guided by the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa,” he said.

The Vice President noted that digital transformation should translate into tangible benefits such as job creation, improved education and healthcare, financial inclusion, youth empowerment and sustainable economic growth.

He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to expanding broadband infrastructure, strengthening cybersecurity, advancing artificial intelligence, building digital public infrastructure and developing a globally competitive digital workforce under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, said the conference provided an opportunity for African countries to assess progress and chart a common course for the continent’s digital future.

“At a time when digital technologies are reshaping economies and societies at an unprecedented pace, our responsibility to work together has never been greater,” Tijani said.

He urged member states to complete ongoing reforms, deepen regional cooperation and ensure successful national digital initiatives become continental success stories.

Tijani also stressed the importance of presenting a unified African position at the ITU conference.

“Africa must arrive in Doha prepared, united and credible. We must strengthen regional cooperation and speak with one voice where our interests align. Where global digital rules are being shaped, Africa must be ready not only to participate but also to influence the outcomes that will protect our people, our economies and our future,” he said.

Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr Aminu Maida, described the meeting as crucial to Africa’s future in the global telecommunications landscape.

He called for greater cooperation among African countries, particularly as elections into key positions within the ITU approach.

“Africa’s unity is paramount as we make decisions that will secure our place in the global telecommunications sector,” Maida said.

ATU Secretary-General John Omo commended Nigeria for its continued support for the union, noting that delegates would review the organisation’s strategic, financial and institutional direction ahead of the ITU conference.

“We will take decisions on leadership, resources, priorities and Africa’s preparations for the ITU 2026 Plenipotentiary Conference,” he said.

ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin expressed confidence in Africa’s growing influence in the global digital economy, saying the continent was well-positioned to shape the future of digital development.

“Africa will not simply participate in the digital future; Africa will help shape it,” she said.

She highlighted the expansion of digital infrastructure across the continent, the growing adoption of digital public infrastructure and the role of Africa’s youthful population in driving innovation.

Bogdan-Martin also praised the partnership between the ITU and the ATU, describing it as instrumental in advancing radio communications, telecommunications standards and digital development across Africa.

She expressed optimism that African countries would present a united front at the Doha conference, strengthening the continent’s influence in determining the ITU’s priorities and strategic direction over the next four years.