No fewer than 52 African countries will converge on Abuja this week for the 7th Ordinary Session of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) Conference of Plenipotentiaries (CPL-26), as Nigeria hosts one of the continent’s biggest telecommunications and digital economy gatherings.
The conference, slated for July 23 and 24, will bring together ministers in charge of telecommunications, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and the digital economy, as well as regulators, industry leaders, academics and development partners to chart Africa’s digital future.
According to a statement issued at the weekend by the spokesperson to the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Isime Esene, the Federal Government is hosting the summit through the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy.
The statement said the conference, the highest decision-making organ of the African Telecommunications Union, would take strategic decisions that would shape Africa’s digital and telecommunications agenda over the next four years.
It added that although statutory meetings commenced on July 16 with the Special Session of the ATU Administrative Council and the Conference Preparatory Committee, the ministerial conference would focus on critical issues, including digital infrastructure, meaningful connectivity, spectrum management, artificial intelligence (AI), digital skills, emerging technologies and institutional governance.
Delegates are also expected to approve the Union’s 2027–2031 strategic plan, budget and programme of work, elect a new Secretary General, determine the composition of the Administrative Council and adopt Africa’s common position ahead of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Plenipotentiary Conference billed for Doha, Qatar, later this year.
Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, said Nigeria was privileged to host the conference at a defining moment in Africa’s digital transformation journey.
He said: “Nigeria is honoured to host the 7th Ordinary Session of the ATU Conference of Plenipotentiaries at a defining moment for Africa’s digital future. As countries across our continent accelerate digital transformation, it is increasingly important that we strengthen regional cooperation, develop common positions on emerging technologies, and create enabling environments that attract investment, build digital talent and expand meaningful connectivity.”
According to the minister, Nigeria’s role as host reflects President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to building an innovation-driven economy while deepening African cooperation in digital infrastructure, technology governance, skills development and investment.
A major highlight of the conference will be the Ministerial Dialogue on “Achieving Africa’s Meaningful Connectivity,”jointly organised by the ATU and the GSMA. The session will examine practical measures for expanding affordable, reliable and quality connectivity across the continent.
Also speaking ahead of the conference, ATU Secretary General, John Omo, described the gathering as a defining opportunity to strengthen the Union’s capacity to support Africa’s digital ambitions.
He said the decisions to be taken in Abuja would determine the Union’s ability to support national priorities, sustain Africa’s participation in global telecommunications discussions and respond effectively to rapid technological changes.
The conference is expected to end with the adoption of the Abuja Declaration, which will provide governments, regulators, industry players and development partners with a common framework for advancing Africa’s digital transformation agenda.
