NCC calls for unified African voice on global telecom policies
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has called for stronger collaboration among African countries to enhance the continent’s influence in shaping global telecommunications and digital economy policies ahead of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Plenipotentiary Conference.
The call was made by the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, during the opening ceremony of the 7th Ordinary Session of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) Conference Preparatory Committee, held in Abuja.
According to Maida, the meeting was convened to harmonise Africa’s common positions ahead of the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference (PP-26) scheduled to take place later this year in Doha, Qatar, where critical decisions on the future of global telecommunications and digital governance will be made.
He described the preparatory meeting as a strategic platform for building consensus among African nations on key issues that will shape the future of telecommunications, digital transformation and the continent’s participation in global ICT policy development.
“The quality of Africa’s participation in international forums depends on the strength of its preparation, the coherence of its positions and the consistency with which member states advance shared priorities,” Maida said.
The NCC Chief Executive noted that the Conference Preparatory Committee plays a pivotal role in strengthening Africa’s voice in international telecommunications policy by enabling member states to harmonise perspectives and develop technically sound common positions before major global meetings.
He explained that delegates would review the activities of the African Telecommunications Union between 2023 and 2026, while also considering recommendations, decisions and resolutions for presentation at the ATU Conference of Plenipotentiaries (CPL-26).
The committee is also expected to assess Africa’s preparedness for PP-26, where decisions affecting the future direction of the global telecommunications industry will be taken.
Maida stressed the need for continuous and institutionalised regulatory cooperation among African telecommunications administrations, noting that emerging issues such as spectrum harmonisation, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, digital trust, data protection and universal access require sustained collaboration beyond periodic conferences.
He further emphasised the importance of strengthening Africa’s technical participation in international telecommunications processes, including ITU study groups, technical committees and regional preparatory meetings where global standards, frameworks and policies are developed.
According to him, Africa’s growing influence in the digital economy must be backed by technical expertise, credible evidence and consistent engagement to ensure the continent contributes meaningfully to global decision-making.
The NCC boss also underscored the importance of ensuring that African priorities are adequately reflected in international discussions on digital transformation, noting that the continent’s rapidly expanding digital economy, increasing broadband connectivity and youthful population position it as a key stakeholder in the future of the global ICT ecosystem.
He called on African regulators and policymakers to deepen collaboration, strengthen regional coordination and speak with a unified voice in advancing the continent’s interests at the forthcoming ITU Plenipotentiary Conference.
The 7th Ordinary Session of the ATU Conference Preparatory Committee brought together telecommunications regulators, policymakers and industry stakeholders from across Africa to develop common policy positions that will guide the continent’s engagement at the ITU PP-26 conference, one of the world’s most important forums for setting the strategic direction of global telecommunications and digital technologies.
