The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has called for stronger collaboration among African countries to enhance the continent’s influence in global telecommunications and digital economy policy formulation.
Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Aminu Maida, made the call in Abuja at the opening of the 7th Ordinary Session of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) Conference Preparatory Committee.
According to a statement signed by the Commission’s Director of Public Affairs, Nnenna Ukoha, the meeting was convened to prepare Africa’s common position ahead of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Plenipotentiary Conference (PP-26) scheduled to hold in Doha, Qatar.
Maida said the forum would serve as a platform for building consensus on issues that would shape the future of telecommunications and the digital economy across the continent.
He noted that Africa’s effectiveness in global policy discussions depends on proper preparation, coherence of positions and consistency among member states in advancing shared priorities.
The NCC boss explained that the preparatory committee plays a critical role in strengthening Africa’s participation in global telecommunications discussions by harmonising perspectives and developing common positions ahead of international meetings.
He added that participants at the session would review ATU’s activities between 2023 and 2026 and develop recommendations and resolutions for consideration at the ATU Conference of Plenipotentiaries.
Maida stressed the need for sustained and institutionalised regulatory cooperation across Africa, noting that emerging issues such as spectrum harmonisation, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, digital trust, data protection and universal access require continuous collaboration.
He further emphasised the importance of strengthening Africa’s technical participation in international telecommunications processes, including study groups and technical committees where global standards are developed.
According to him, a stronger African voice in global decision-making must be supported by technical expertise, credible data and consistent engagement.
Maida also said it was important to ensure that African perspectives are adequately reflected in global digital transformation discussions, given the continent’s growing digital economy and youthful population.
He commended the ATU Secretariat led by its Secretary-General, John Omo, for promoting a coordinated African voice in international telecommunications platforms.
Maida reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to supporting the ATU through regulatory collaboration, peer learning and active participation in regional and global initiatives.
He expressed optimism that the meeting would enhance Africa’s alignment ahead of PP-26 and strengthen collaboration among member states in global telecommunications policy processes.
