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