The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has called for stronger collaboration among African countries to enable the continent to play a more influential role in shaping global telecommunications and digital economy policies ahead of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Plenipotentiary Conference (PP-26).
According to an official signed statement by the Director, Public Affairs Department of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Mrs. Nnenna Ukoha, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, made the call at the opening of the 7th Ordinary Session of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) Conference Preparatory Committee held in Abuja.
The statement said the meeting was convened to prepare Africa’s common positions ahead of the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference (PP-26), scheduled to take place later this year in Doha, Qatar.
Addressing delegates from across the continent, Dr. Maida described the gathering as a strategic platform for building consensus on issues that will shape the future of telecommunications and the digital economy.
He stressed that Africa’s influence in international telecommunications forums depends on the quality of its preparations, the coherence of its positions and the consistency with which member states pursue shared priorities.
According to the statement, the NCC boss noted that the Conference Preparatory Committee plays a critical role in strengthening Africa’s participation in global telecommunications policy discussions by harmonising the perspectives of member states and developing technically sound common positions ahead of major international meetings.
Dr. Maida explained that participants at the session would review the activities of the African Telecommunications Union from 2023 to 2026 and develop recommendations, decisions and resolutions for consideration at the ATU Conference of Plenipotentiaries (CPL-26).
He added that the committee would also examine Africa’s preparations for ITU PP-26, where major decisions affecting the future direction of the global telecommunications sector will be taken.
The NCC Executive Vice Chairman underscored the need for more sustained and institutionalised regulatory cooperation among African countries, noting that emerging issues such as spectrum harmonisation, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, digital trust, data protection and universal access require continuous collaboration beyond periodic conferences.
He also emphasised the importance of strengthening Africa’s technical participation in international telecommunications processes, including study groups, technical committees and regional preparatory meetings where global standards and policy frameworks are developed.
According to him, Africa’s growing influence in global decision-making must be supported by technical expertise, credible evidence and sustained engagement.
Dr. Maida further stressed that African perspectives must be adequately reflected in global discussions on digital transformation, noting that the continent’s expanding digital economy, increasing connectivity and youthful population make its contributions increasingly important to the future of the global information and communications technology ecosystem.
The statement noted that the NCC chief commended the African Telecommunications Union Secretariat, led by Secretary-General Mr. John Omo, for promoting a more coordinated African voice within the ITU and other international platforms.
He also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to supporting the African Telecommunications Union through the sharing of regulatory expertise, peer learning and active participation in regional and international telecommunications initiatives.
Dr. Maida expressed optimism that the conference would strengthen Africa’s alignment ahead of ITU PP-26, deepen inter-conference collaboration and reinforce the continent’s commitment to sustained technical participation in global telecommunications policy processes.
