Nigeria has urged African countries to present a united front ahead of the 2026 International Telecommunication Union (ITU) elections, saying continental unity is critical to strengthening Africa’s influence in global telecommunications and digital policy.
The appeal was made at the Seventh Ordinary Session of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) Conference of Plenipotentiaries in Abuja, where policymakers, regulators and industry leaders met to coordinate Africa’s position ahead of the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference and elections later this year.
Representing Vice President Kashim Shettima, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, said the continent’s economic competitiveness would depend on its ability to harness digital technologies through stronger regional collaboration.
He noted that broadband infrastructure, artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, satellite communications and secure digital networks are now critical enablers of economic growth, innovation and improved public service delivery.
Hadejia said no African country, regardless of its size or resources, could achieve the continent’s digital ambitions alone, stressing that coordinated action is needed to expand connectivity, strengthen cybersecurity and promote responsible innovation.
“For Africa, this presents both an enormous opportunity and a profound responsibility. No single nation, regardless of its size or resources, can fully realise Africa’s digital ambitions in isolation. Our future depends on collaboration,” he said.
Addressing the conference, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, emphasised the importance of coordinated participation by African countries in global digital policy and innovation ecosystems.
Tijani also highlighted the launch of the APLAS Network, a continental initiative that builds on Nigeria’s N-ATLAS programme to accelerate the development of African large language models and expand the representation of African languages in artificial intelligence.
According to the minister, sustained investment in home-grown innovation is essential to ensure emerging technologies reflect the continent’s realities, cultures and development priorities.
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Aminu Maida, described the conference as a key platform for building consensus on issues shaping the continent’s telecommunications future and representation in global institutions.
Maida said the upcoming ITU elections underscored the need for African countries to speak with one voice in global telecommunications institutions, noting that a coordinated continental position would strengthen Africa’s influence in international policy discussions.
“Africa’s unity in taking decisions is important as we move forward and secure our place in the telecommunications sector,” Maida said.
He added that closer collaboration among member states would promote digital inclusion, accelerate infrastructure development and position the continent to benefit from emerging opportunities in the digital economy.
ATU Secretary-General John Omo commended Nigeria for successfully hosting the conference and stressed the importance of maintaining a common continental voice in advancing telecommunications and digital development objectives.
ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin also called for stronger participation by African countries in shaping the global digital agenda, urging the continent to become not only a consumer of technology but also a creator, innovator and contributor to future digital standards.
The conference also provided a platform for African candidates and Member States seeking election or re-election to positions within the ITU ahead of the 2026 ITU Plenipotentiary Conference.
Member States ended the conference by reaffirming their commitment to support continental candidates in the forthcoming ITU elections while deepening cooperation on digital infrastructure, innovation and telecommunications policy to strengthen Africa’s voice in global digital governance.
