The West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Association (WATRA) has commended Nigeria for its exemplary leadership in broadband infrastructure mapping, following the successful ITU Africa Broadband Mapping (BBMaps) National Event recently held in Abuja.
The national event marked a key milestone in the pilot phase of the Africa-BB-Maps initiative, a flagship project of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), implemented with funding from the European Union.
The four-year (2025–2028) programme aims to support eleven Sub-Saharan African countries, including Nigeria, in establishing harmonized national broadband mapping systems to accelerate digital development and investment.
WATRA’s Strategic Engagement
Representing WATRA at the event, Mr. Ruffus Samuel, principal manager for Partnerships, contributed to a high-level session titled “Context and Current State – Intervention by International Partners”.
WATRA highlighted the importance of broadband mapping harmonization across West Africa, stressing its potential to serve as a foundation for smart regulation, infrastructure investment, and regional digital integration.
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WATRA Executive Secretary Aliyu Yusuf Aboki reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to working closely with national regulators such as the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to promote coordinated approaches to infrastructure mapping.
“Nigeria’s robust and transparent broadband mapping system stands as a model for the West African region,” said Mr. Aboki. “Through data-driven policymaking, we can close connectivity gaps and lay the groundwork for an inclusive digital economy.”
Nigeria’s Role as Regional Leader
The event spotlighted the NCC’s broadband mapping framework as a leading example for Africa. Participants from across the continent acknowledged the NCC’s technical capacity and policy foresight, underscoring Nigeria’s growing role in shaping regional ICT strategy.
The opening ceremony was presided over by Dr. Aminu Maida, executive vice-chairman and CEO of the NCC, with notable participation from:
- Dr. Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, Director, ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau
- Zissimos Vergos, Deputy Head of EU Delegation to Nigeria
- Inga Stefanowicz, Head of Green and Digital Economy, EU Delegation
- Senior representatives from ITU, ECOWAS, and national stakeholders
Key Recommendations and Outcomes
- Stakeholders recommended the creation of a National Broadband Mapping Task Force chaired by the NCC to coordinate data standards, governance, and updates.
- WATRA emphasized the importance of regional interoperability and pledged continued engagement with ITU, NCC, and development partners.
- The event underscored the necessity of collaboration among governments, regulators, infrastructure owners, and technical partners to ensure the reliability and usefulness of broadband data.
Toward Regional Digital Transformation
The Africa-BB-Maps initiative is aligned with the Africa–Europe Digital Regulators Partnership and the EU Global Gateway Strategy, both of which promote sustainable digital infrastructure development and cross-border cooperation. WATRA plays a critical role in translating these goals into actionable frameworks for its 16 member states.
“This initiative is more than mapping, it’s about enabling investment, expanding opportunity, and achieving our collective digital aspirations,” Mr. Aboki concluded.
