Nigeria assumes ATU chairmanship as Africa adopts Abuja digital declaration
…Zambia’s Kezias Nwale elected secretary-general
By Progress Godfrey
ABUJA – Nigeria has assumed the chairmanship of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) Conference of Plenipotentiaries as African ministers adopted the Abuja Ministerial Declaration to accelerate meaningful connectivity, digital inclusion and investment in digital infrastructure across the continent.
This followed the close of the 7th Ordinary Session of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) Conference of Plenipotentiaries (CPL-26), where member states transferred the chairmanship from Algeria to Nigeria, with Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, assuming the position on behalf of the country.
“Every discussion, every decision and every compromise reflected our shared commitment to building a stronger digital future for Africa.
“The decisions taken over the past two days will only achieve their intended impact if we continue to work together with purpose, mutual trust and a shared commitment to ensuring that every African benefits from the opportunities of the digital economy,” Tijani said.
He reassured that Nigeria would continue to work with other African countries to expand digital infrastructure, strengthen digital skills, and promote responsible innovation to boost the continent’s influence in global digital governance.
Delegates also thanked Algeria for its stewardship since the sixth ordinary session held in Algiers in 2022.
The conference also elected 25 member states into the Administrative Council for a four-year term. West Africa will be represented by Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal and Togo, while other seats went to member states across North, Southern, Eastern and Central Africa.
Meanwhile, delegates elected Zambia’s Engr Kezias Mwale as the next Secretary General of the African Telecommunications Union. Mwale, the Union’s Director for Spectrum, secured 21 votes to defeat South Africa’s Cynthia Leungo Lesufi, who polled eight votes, and Cameroon’s Ottou Valéry Hilaire, who received five votes.
In his acceptance speech, the Secretary General-elect thanked member states, the Zambian government and President Hakainde Hichilema for their support, while paying tribute to the other candidates and pledging to lead the Union with transparency, impartiality and inclusiveness.
According to him, “As an African proverb reminds us, if you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, go together. Today’s election has produced one Secretary General, but our shared commitment remains one.
“This victory is not mine alone, nor does it belong to any one nation. It belongs to every member state represented here today and to every African who believes in the transformative power of digital technologies to improve lives and create opportunities for our people.”
Mwale said he would work closely with governments, regulators, policymakers, the private sector, academia, civil society, development partners and other stakeholders to build a stronger and more responsive African Telecommunications Union capable of advancing the continent’s digital transformation.
“I will work and serve closely with governments, regulators, policymakers, the private sector, academia, and civil society, development partners, and other stakeholders to build a stronger, more responsive, and forward-looking ATU,” he said.
He added that the Union would prioritise affordable and universal connectivity, digital inclusion, cybersecurity, innovation, digital skills and stronger African participation in regional and global digital policy. He also urged member states to work together to harness digital technologies to improve livelihoods and accelerate socio-economic development.
Beyond the leadership transition, the conference adopted the Abuja Ministerial Declaration on Meaningful Connectivity for Africa, a policy framework aimed at expanding universal and affordable digital access across the continent.
The declaration identifies key priorities including digital inclusion, broadband expansion, resilient infrastructure, regulatory harmonisation, digital sovereignty, consumer protection, capacity building, fiscal reforms and financing for digital development. It also calls on the African Union Commission, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), regional economic communities, development partners, industry, academia and civil society to collaborate in achieving meaningful connectivity and supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
African ministers further urged member states, telecommunications operators, investors and development partners to increase investment in digital infrastructure and work collectively to close Africa’s connectivity gap. Current ATU Secretary General, John Omo, will remain in office until the formal transition, while Mwale is expected to assume office on January 1, 2027.
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