The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, has called on African countries to deepen regulatory cooperation and adopt coordinated positions on telecommunications and digital policy, saying a more unified approach is essential if the continent is to shape global standards and accelerate its digital economy.
The call came from Dr. Aminu Maida, executive vice chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), at the opening of the 7th Ordinary Session of the Conference Preparatory Committee of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) in Abuja.
Maida said Africa’s influence in international telecommunications discussions would depend less on the size of national delegations and more on the quality of technical preparation and the ability of countries to present coherent positions.
“Africa’s influence in international forums does not depend simply on the size of our delegations or the number of interventions we make,” Maida said. “It depends on the quality of our preparation, the coherence of our positions and the consistency with which we advance them.”
The committee is preparing common African proposals ahead of the African Telecommunications Union Conference of Plenipotentiaries and the 2026 International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Plenipotentiary Conference, where member states will decide the strategic direction and leadership of the global telecom body.
Maida said African countries should engage earlier in international policy discussions to ensure the continent plays a greater role in developing global telecommunications standards rather than reacting after decisions have been made.
He identified cross-border spectrum harmonisation, artificial intelligence governance, cybersecurity, data protection and universal connectivity as areas requiring closer regulatory collaboration across African markets. No country, he said, could effectively address those challenges on its own.
“Our regulatory cooperation must therefore become more continuous, more technical and more institutionalised,” Maida said, urging governments to strengthen collaboration beyond conferences through regular technical engagement and shared expertise.
Nigeria also reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the African Telecommunications Union through technical cooperation, regulatory knowledge-sharing and peer learning among member states.
Nadungu Gagare, permanent secretary of the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, said stronger regional collaboration would help drive digital integration, innovation and sustainable economic development across Africa.
John Omo, ATU secretary-general, said the preparatory meeting was critical to building consensus before proposals are presented to the Conference of Plenipotentiaries.
5He added that the union’s membership has grown to 52 member states from 49 over the past four years, while associate membership increased to 56 organisations from 50.
The ATU has also introduced academia as a new membership category, with 18 institutions now participating.
Omo said the organisation had expanded its work in broadband spectrum management, satellite communications, internet governance, internet exchange points and digital infrastructure resilience, but urged member states to make more predictable financial contributions to support its programmes.
