Nigeria takes over chairmanship of African telecom union

Nigeria has assumed the chairmanship of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) following the conclusion of the union’s seventh ordinary Conference of Plenipotentiaries in Abuja. The two-day conference also elected Kezias Kazuba Mwale of Zambia as the next secretary-general of the ATU, adopted the 2026 Abuja Declaration on Meaningful Connectivity for Africa, and approved strategic and […]

Nigeria has assumed the chairmanship of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) following the conclusion of the union’s seventh ordinary Conference of Plenipotentiaries in Abuja.

The two-day conference also elected Kezias Kazuba Mwale of Zambia as the next secretary-general of the ATU, adopted the 2026 Abuja Declaration on Meaningful Connectivity for Africa, and approved strategic and governance decisions to guide the organisation over the next four years.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, said the resolutions reached at the conference would only succeed through sustained collaboration among member states to expand digital infrastructure and strengthen Africa’s voice in global digital governance.

“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,” he said.

Tijani thanked member states, delegates, development partners and the ATU secretariat for what he described as the spirit of cooperation that characterised the conference.

He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to working with other African countries to expand digital infrastructure, strengthen digital skills, promote responsible innovation and deepen the continent’s influence in global digital governance.

Delegates elected Mwale after four rounds of voting. He secured 21 of the 34 votes cast in the final round and will assume office on January 1, 2027, for a four-year term.

The conference also adopted the 2026 Abuja Declaration, committing member states to expand broadband access through technology-neutral regulation, improve access to spectrum and fibre infrastructure, strengthen consumer protection and cybersecurity, and address digital affordability, literacy and inclusion, particularly for women, young people, persons with disabilities and underserved communities.

In addition, delegates elected 25 member states to serve on the ATU Administrative Council for the next four-year cycle.

The outgoing ATU Secretary-General, John Omo, said the conference had given the union a renewed mandate to implement its strategic priorities.