Speaking at the International Submarine Cable Resilience Summit 2026 in Porto, Portugal, on the urgent need for stronger infrastructure safeguards, Aliyu Yusuf Aboki, executive secretary of WATRA, said resilience must now be treated as an economic priority rather than a technical afterthought.

According to him, the 2024 undersea cable disruptions, which caused internet traffic in some countries to fall by more than 50 percent, exposed how vulnerable the region remains to shocks affecting critical connectivity systems.

“West Africa’s digital economy is growing rapidly, powered by mobile broadband, fintech, e-commerce, and a new generation of entrepreneurs. But much of that growth depends on infrastructure that remains invisible until it fails,” Aboki said.

Repair Costs Rising, Recovery Slower

WATRA noted that repairing submarine cable faults in West Africa is inherently expensive due to the limited availability of specialised vessels stationed on the continent.

A single cable repair operation is typically estimated at $1.5 million to $2 million, with mobilisation of repair ships from distant hubs such as Cape Town accounting for a significant share of the cost.

In more severe incidents involving multiple cable faults, costs can escalate to as much as $8 million, while restoration timelines often lag global benchmarks.

“When specialised vessels must travel long distances before repair work can begin, downtime becomes longer and more expensive. That delay has real economic consequences,” Aboki added.

Beyond Infrastructure: Impact on Livelihoods

WATRA stressed that resilience is not only about cables and networks—it is about protecting jobs, incomes, and business continuity across the region.

According to the Assembly, uninterrupted connectivity allows millions of Africans to participate in the digital economy daily, from small merchants accepting mobile payments to startups running online operations.

“It is what allows a young entrepreneur in Lagos selling furniture on Instagram to continue receiving orders. It is what enables a grocery distributor relying on digital payments to keep business moving even when systems are under pressure,” Aboki said.

At a broader level, banks processing millions of transactions, logistics firms coordinating regional trade, and telecom operators delivering data services all rely on stable connectivity.

When disruptions occur, the costs are immediate such as lost revenue, delayed trade, failed transactions, lower consumer confidence, and reduced productivity.

Need for Policy and Investment Reform

WATRA said the 2024 disruptions should serve as a wake-up call for governments, regulators, investors, and infrastructure operators across the sub-region.

The Assembly called for resilience to be embedded into infrastructure planning, redundant network design, emergency response systems, regional cooperation frameworks, and sustainable financing models.

“For West Africa, resilience is not optional. It is foundational. Without it, economic growth remains exposed to avoidable shocks,” Aboki stated.

A Real-Time Economy with Little Margin for Error

Unlike mature markets with multiple redundancies and institutional safety nets, much of West Africa’s digital economy operates in real time, with limited buffers against disruption.

For many SMEs, traders, fintech users, and informal businesses, even short outages can translate directly into lost income.

WATRA concluded that strengthening digital resilience will be essential to unlocking the next phase of West Africa’s economic transformation and ensuring that connectivity remains a reliable engine of inclusion, innovation, and trade.

* The West African Telecommunications Regulators Assembly (WATRA) is the regional body of telecom regulators in West Africa, promoting harmonised policy, collaboration, and digital market development across member states.

Addressing an audience of global regulators, financiers, and infrastructure operators, Aboki argued that the reliability of submarine cables is now the primary determinant of economic stability for West Africa’s $800 billion GDP landscape.

The Economics of Downtime

Reflecting on the catastrophic cable disruptions of March 2024, which saw internet traffic in some nations drop by over 50%, Aboki emphasized that the regional digital economy, valued between $100 billion and $150 billion, is currently built on a fragile foundation.

“Resilience is no longer a technical concern; it is an economic one,” stated Aliyu Aboki. “For West Africa, this conversation is not theoretical. It is immediate and consequential. We have seen that capacity is not resilience. You can have all the bandwidth in the world, but if your routing patterns allow a single incident to sever multiple systems, your economy remains at risk.”

Protecting Livelihoods, Not Just Links

Aboki’s address shifted the focus from hardware to human impact, noting that for many Nigerians and West Africans, digital connectivity is the difference between a meal and an empty plate.

“What is often overlooked is that resilience is about livelihoods,” Aboki remarked. “It is what allows a 24-year-old graduate running a furniture business on Instagram in Lagos to continue fulfilling orders without interruption. It enables the small-scale grocery distributor in Surulere to keep transactions flowing when networks are under strain. In our region, disruptions translate directly into lost income with limited buffers.”

The High Cost of Repair and Recovery

The Executive Secretary highlighted the staggering financial burden of maintaining these systems. With typical repairs costing between $1.5 million and $2 million, and escalating to $8 million in complex cases, Aboki noted that Africa is disproportionately affected by the lack of localized repair vessels and harmonized administrative procedures.

“The 2024 disruptions were a stress test that exposed a structural mismatch,” Aboki explained. “Submarine networks are regional, yet governance remains largely national. Delays in customs, port access, and inter-agency coordination extend repair timelines and increase the cost of capital. We must treat submarine cable resilience as a regional public good.”

The WATRA Roadmap for 2026

Under Aboki’s leadership, WATRA is pushing for a unified regulatory framework across its 16 member states to ensure that the digital economy can withstand future shocks.

The proposed interventions include:

• Streamlined Permitting: Predetermined landing processes to fast-track repair operations.
• Emergency Protocols: Pre-agreed regional coordination for specialized repair vessels.
• Investment Design: Prioritizing “true route diversity” to avoid correlated risks where multiple cables share the same physical path.

A Foundation for the Future

Closing his address, Aboki reminded stakeholders that the momentum of West Africa’s fintech, e-commerce, and digital entrepreneurship sectors depends entirely on infrastructure that remains invisible until it fails.

“For West Africa’s digital economy, resilience is not optional. It is foundational. If we embed it into our policy and financing frameworks today, we build a more robust foundation for a growth that leaves no one behind.”

The meeting, hosted by the Autorité de Régulation des Communications Électroniques et des Postes du Burkina Faso (ARCEP), brought together regulators, technical experts, and stakeholders from across the region under the theme: “Building a Secure, Inclusive, and Resilient Digital Ecosystem for West Africa.”

In his opening and closing remarks, Mr Aliyu Yusuf Aboki, the executive secretary of WATRA, described the meeting as a significant milestone in the organisation’s evolution, marking the transition from dialogue to the delivery of practical regulatory tools.

Aboki is a telecommunications engineer and policy specialist with over two decades of experience across the ICT sector, including work with global telecommunications firms such as Ericsson and MTN in Nigeria and other markets.

He has played an active role in cross-border regulatory coordination, spectrum policy, and digital transformation initiatives, contributing to policy harmonisation efforts across West Africa and representing regional perspectives in international telecommunications and digital economy engagements.

As Executive Secretary of WATRA, he leads the organisation’s strategic engagement with regional and global stakeholders, helping to shape coherent regulatory frameworks and strengthen Africa’s voice in global discussions on digital policy and telecommunications development.

“Nearly two years after the establishment of the Working Groups, we can take pride in the progress achieved. What began as a vision has evolved into a dynamic mechanism for peer learning, coordination, and knowledge exchange,” Aboki said.

Over the course of the meeting, the Working Groups finalised a set of technical reports covering key areas critical to the region’s digital transformation, including 5G deployment, submarine cable resilience, cybersecurity frameworks, consumer protection, and non-geostationary satellite (NGSO) regulation.

Aboki emphasised that the outputs are intended to serve as practical instruments to guide policy and regulatory action across WATRA’s 16 member states.

“These reports are not merely formalities. They will inform policy, guide regulatory action, and strengthen regional harmonisation,” he stated.

The meeting comes at a time when West Africa’s telecommunications sector is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by emerging technologies such as digital financial services, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things (IoT).

Aboki noted that this shift requires more adaptive and forward-looking regulatory frameworks, particularly in areas such as data protection, cybersecurity, and digital governance.

He further highlighted that the outcomes of the Working Groups will contribute to the evaluation of WATRA’s 2022–2025 Strategic Plan and inform the development of its 2026–2030 strategy.

“The reports produced here represent concrete evidence of the value generated through this collaborative approach and reaffirm the importance of coordinated regulation in bridging the digital divide in West Africa,” he said.

Economic Context: A Large and Fast-Growing Digital Opportunity

The importance of WATRA’s work is underscored by the scale of the West African economy and the accelerating contribution of digital technologies.

The ECOWAS region, comprising over 400 million people, has a combined GDP estimated at approximately $700–800 billion in nominal terms, with Nigeria accounting for more than two-thirds of economic output. This makes West Africa one of the most economically significant regions on the African continent.

Digital technologies are playing an increasingly central role in this growth. According to industry and multilateral estimates, the digital economy contributes between 4% and 6% of GDP across many African markets, with mobile technologies alone accounting for roughly 4–5% of GDP in West Africa, and rising steadily as connectivity improves.

Within this context, the West African digital market, spanning e-commerce, digital payments, connectivity services, and platforms, has been estimated at over $200 billion, with recent projections placing it above $216 billion in 2024, reflecting rapid expansion in mobile penetration, fintech adoption, and platform-based services.

Beyond scale, the digital economy is increasingly recognised as a critical driver of:

• Economic growth, through productivity gains and new enterprise creation
• Welfare improvements, by expanding access to financial services, education, and healthcare
• Inclusion, particularly by connecting rural and underserved populations

Across the region, a number of leading markets are shaping this transformation:

• Nigeria, the region’s largest digital economy and home to major telecom and fintech players
• Ghana, a fast-growing hub for digital payments and financial innovation
• Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal, which are emerging as key digital and infrastructure growth centres

These dynamics reinforce the importance of coordinated regulatory frameworks—such as those being developed through WATRA, to ensure that digital growth translates into broad-based economic and social gains.

The Executive Secretary also confirmed that the recommendations arising from the meeting will be presented to the WATRA General Assembly for consideration and adoption.

WATRA expressed its appreciation to the Government of Burkina Faso and ARCEP Burkina Faso for hosting the meeting, commending their support and commitment to regional cooperation. Special recognition was given to the Chairman of the Regulatory Council of ARCEP, Dr Pasteur Poda, and the Executive Secretary, Mr Patrice Compaoré, for their leadership.

Aboki also acknowledged the contributions of the Working Group members, Co-Chairs, Rapporteurs, and the WATRA Secretariat, noting that their voluntary efforts have been instrumental in strengthening the organisation’s technical capacity and relevance.

“As we transition into the next strategic cycle, we expect even greater impact from WATRA’s work. This will depend on sustained collaboration and the continued engagement of our experts across the region,” he added.

He concluded by reaffirming WATRA’s commitment to deepening regional cooperation and supporting the implementation of harmonised regulatory frameworks to enable digital growth and inclusion across West Africa.

The West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly (WATRA) is a regional organisation of telecommunications regulators from 16 West African countries. It promotes cooperation, harmonisation of regulatory frameworks, and the development of the ICT sector across the subregion.

Speaking at the opening of the third meeting of WATRA’s Working Groups in Accra, Ghana, Mr. Aboki emphasised that a harmonised regulatory space would turn West Africa into a coherent, unified digital market attractive to global and regional investors.

“WATRA is not just facilitating dialogue, we are laying the foundation for a seamless regional market where innovation and investment can thrive,” said Mr. Aboki. “This meeting in Accra reflects our collective determination to build regulatory infrastructure that enables inclusion, trust, and scale.”

Hosted by Ghana’s National Communications Authority (NCA), the four-day high-level session brings together telecom regulators, private sector leaders, development partners, and digital policy experts to share knowledge and experiences and develop recommendations that will refine regional frameworks in three key areas: consumer experience, infrastructure development, and cybersecurity.

Why Harmonisation Creates a Larger Market

The ECOWAS region, home to over 400 million people, has immense potential as a single digital market. Yet divergent national regulations have led to fragmented investment environments, increased compliance costs, and inefficiencies in service delivery.

By aligning rules and standards across borders, harmonisation expands the effective size of the market available to telecom operators, fintechs, digital platforms, and infrastructure investors. Instead of dealing with 16 different licensing regimes, spectrum policies, or consumer regulations, companies can scale more efficiently across the region, reducing costs and risks while increasing innovation and competition.

“Regulatory harmonisation transforms fragmented national markets into one larger, more investable region,” Mr. Aboki explained. “It’s the gateway to building regional tech champions, improving affordability for consumers, and fostering resilient digital systems.”

Why the Working Groups Matter

WATRA’s Working Groups, on Consumer Access and Experience, Infrastructure Development, and Cybersecurity, are the Assembly’s strategic engines for technical cooperation and reform. Under Mr. Aboki’s leadership, they are designing regional frameworks that serve as models for national implementation.

• Consumer Access and Experience: Enhancing consumer trust and fair service standards increases uptake of digital services and drives inclusive digital participation.
• Infrastructure Development: Harmonised infrastructure policies, especially around spectrum allocation, satellite communications  and sub-sea and terrestrial optical fibre, attract investment in broadband, towers, and regional connectivity.
• Cybersecurity: Establishing regional cyber standards is critical to protecting users, safeguarding cross-border digital trade, and ensuring investor confidence.

“The Working Groups produce actionable, home-grown solutions that regulators can adapt to national contexts,” Mr. Aboki said. “They are where vision meets implementation.”

A Sector of Strategic Importance

West Africa’s telecommunications industry is a cornerstone of the region’s economic development. With over 250 million mobile subscribers, more than 120 million internet users, and nearly 15% of Nigeria’s GDP coming from ICT, the sector plays a transformative role in commerce, education, governance, and job creation.

Yet, the absence of harmonised rules continues to impede regional scale. Mr. Aboki stressed that the creation of a Single Digital Market in West Africa could unlock billions of dollars in annual value, supporting seamless mobile roaming, digital financial inclusion, cross-border e-commerce, and regional cloud infrastructure.

A Vision for Regional Digital Transformation

The Accra meeting will finalise recommendations and technical outputs for validation and adoption at WATRA’s next Conference of Regulators.

These outcomes are expected to serve as shared regional standards, improving regulatory consistency while respecting each country’s unique context.

Edmund Yirenkyi Fianko, Ghana’s acting director-General of the NCA, expressed support for the harmonisation effort, citing Ghana’s leadership in ECOWAS free roaming and regional cybersecurity frameworks.

Aliyu Aboki’s Strategic Leadership

Since taking office, Mr. Aboki has steered WATRA into a new era of proactive, consensus-driven regional leadership.

His efforts are helping to position the Assembly as a continental thought leader in telecom and digital regulation, bridging national priorities with a unified regional vision.

“Regulation should be an accelerator of innovation, not a barrier,” Mr. Aboki concluded. “Through harmonisation, we can build a larger, safer, and more inclusive market that delivers real benefits to citizens, investors, and governments alike.”

The high-level meeting marked a pivotal moment in fostering strategic partnerships between West Africa and the Caribbean.

Against the backdrop of shared challenges and emerging opportunities in telecommunications, the discussions aimed to lay a foundation for transformative collaboration that could redefine regulatory practices and drive innovation across both regions.

Welcoming the delegation, Mr. Aliyu Aboki, executive secretary of WATRA described the visit as a defining moment for both regions.

“Your presence here today underscores our shared commitment to strengthening regional and sub-regional ties, fostering meaningful peer-to-peer engagement, and advancing regulatory collaboration for the benefit of both West Africa and the Caribbean,” he said.

During the discussions, both organizations emphasized the value of strengthening regional and sub-regional ties, advancing regulatory collaboration, and exploring innovative solutions in critical areas such as spectrum management, broadband expansion, satellite services, and Internet governance.

The leaders acknowledged the interconnected nature of modern telecommunications and the mutual benefits of working together.

The meeting also addressed shared challenges, including funding constraints, the sovereignty of member states, and the need for lean organizational structures.

These hurdles, while significant, were framed as opportunities for creative problem-solving. Reflecting on this, Mr. Taylor expressed optimism about the path ahead.

“We’re here to learn from you with respect to your experiences, your challenges and how you can assist us moving forward.” Together, we can achieve more,” he affirmed.

The discussions delved into specific issues affecting both organizations. The CTU’s efforts to establish a single ICT space in the Caribbean resonated with WATRA’s experience as a consultative body uniting 16 West African telecommunications regulators. Capacity building, policy harmonization, and knowledge exchange emerged as key priorities.

Mr. Aboki highlighted the potential for Nigeria’s leadership in spectrum trading and direct-to-device technology to serve as a model for collaboration and innovation.

“Nigeria’s efforts in these areas are paving the way for economic growth,” he said. “Collaboration with the CTU will help us expand these initiatives and share their benefits across regions.”

The meeting also addressed technical and policy challenges, including the implementation of Roaming Regulation, which was discussed in detail by CTU representatives Mr. Nigel Cassimire, deputy secretary general & head of Regional Policy Development and Mr. Gary Kalloo, director, Business Development & Implementation Support.

They explored how bilateral agreements between operators, supported by regulators, could achieve regional alignment.

Mr. Cassimire also expressed interest in WATRA’s regulatory framework for Non-Geostationary Satellite Orbit (NGSO) services, which could offer valuable insights for the Caribbean.

Looking ahead, the CTU Secretary General extended an invitation to WATRA to participate in upcoming CTU meetings, including the Regulators Forum in Jamaica.

He also committed to consulting with member states on submarine cable issues to prepare for his participation in the forthcoming submarine cable summit in Nigeria.

The possibility of formalizing collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between CTU and WATRA was discussed, with potential involvement from the Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority (ECTEL).

Both organizations committed to enhancing knowledge exchange and resource sharing. During the meeting, Dr. Joseph Emeshili, co-chair of WATRA’s Infrastructure Working Group, highlighted spectrum management and harmonization initiatives in the sub-region.

His insights were well-received by the CTU delegation, sparking a productive exchange of experiences from both regions.

WATRA agreed to share Nigeria’s spectrum roadmap and national frequency allocation table with CTU, while CTU announced plans to establish a small working group to guide Caribbean regulators on spectrum management and preparation for the upcoming World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC).

Mr. Taylor expressed his gratitude for the warm reception and emphasized the importance of building a legacy of cooperation. “This visit has opened doors for deeper collaboration,” he said. “We will continue to explore opportunities for joint workshops, technical exchanges, and unified approaches that benefit both regions. The collaborations between the Caribbean and West Africa are endless.”

As the visit concluded, both parties reaffirmed their commitment to advancing telecommunications as a driver of economic growth and social development.

The CTU Secretary General pledged to report back to Caribbean Heads of Government on the outcomes of the visit and explore the feasibility of establishing a regional regulatory body inspired by WATRA’s model.

The meeting marks a significant step toward a stronger partnership between West Africa and the Caribbean, with both regions poised to achieve meaningful progress in the telecommunications sector through collaboration and shared innovation.

This body, established by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in collaboration with the International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC), aims to bolster the resilience of submarine telecommunication cables that form the backbone of global digital connectivity.

Submarine cables, which carry the majority of the world’s Internet traffic, enable essential global services, including commerce, financial transactions, government operations, digital health, and education. Enhancing their resilience is critical for ensuring continuity in a digitally connected world.

Mr. Aliyu Aboki’s inclusion in the high-level International Advisory Body for Submarine Cable Resilience comes at a critical time when disruptions to digital connectivity in West Africa have highlighted the urgent need to safeguard vital telecommunications infrastructure.

As the Executive Secretary of WATRA, Mr. Aboki brings a wealth of experience and a distinctive regional perspective to the Advisory Body’s mission.

His appointment provides an opportunity for the region to contribute meaningfully to shaping global best practices for the deployment, maintenance, and protection of submarine cables, ensuring a stable and resilient digital ecosystem for millions across the continent.

Speaking on his appointment, Mr. Aboki stated:

“The recent disruptions to telecommunications services across West Africa, caused by damage to vital submarine cables, underscore the fragility of our digital infrastructure. These incidents, which affected countries such as Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, and Liberia, resulted in significant connectivity issues and highlighted the urgent need for enhanced resilience in our submarine cable systems.

As Executive Secretary of WATRA, I have witnessed firsthand the critical role that secure and reliable digital connectivity plays in driving economic development, supporting government operations, and enabling access to essential services across the region. This appointment to the International Advisory Body on Submarine Cable Resilience presents an opportunity to strengthen global collaboration and bring the perspectives of West Africa to the forefront of discussions on protecting these crucial infrastructures.

It is vital that we work together with other experts and stakeholders to develop strategies that ensure submarine cables are more resilient to disruptions, safeguarding the continuity of services that are fundamental to the global digital economy.”

The Advisory Body brings together 40 global leaders, including Ministers, Heads of Regulatory Authorities, industry executives, and experts.

Co-chaired by Dr. Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, and Prof. Sandra Maximiano, Chair of the Board of Directors of the National Communications Authority of Portugal (ANACOM), the group will work to develop strategies that enhance the security and resilience of submarine cable infrastructure worldwide.

WATRA’s participation in this global effort reaffirms its leadership role in driving policies that prioritize digital connectivity, economic growth, and sustainable development.

By representing the region’s interests, Mr. Aboki will ensure that West Africa continues to play a vital role in shaping the future of telecommunications.

Hosted by The Gambia’s Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA), the meeting brought together key representatives from regulatory bodies across the region to address the growing threats of cyberattacks and chart a collective path forward.

This gathering, which followed a resolution from WATRA’s 21st Annual General Meeting, aimed to strengthen collaboration among member states and share insights on managing digital transformation and cybersecurity challenges in the region.

Representatives from the National Regulatory Authorities of several West African countries, including Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, and Togo participated at the event.

A key highlight was the presentation by the National Communications Authority (NCA) of Ghana, which shared insights from Interpol’s October 2021 Cyber Threat Assessment Report.

The presentation underscored the growing cybersecurity threats in Africa, where 38% of the population was online in 2021, yet over 90% of businesses lacked essential cybersecurity protocols.

The report spotlighted the alarming rise in cyberattacks, including a 238% increase in attacks on online banking platforms in 2020 and the fact that 60% of the world’s Business Email Compromise (BEC) actors are based in Africa, primarily in Nigeria. Additionally, the average ransomware payout in Africa soared to over $300,000 in 2021.

The discussions that followed NCA’s presentation revealed several challenges confronting the region, including the lack of harmonized cybersecurity laws, insufficient infrastructure, a shortage of skilled human resources, and a lack of funding.

The participants emphasized the need for stronger collaboration between member states to combat cyber threats such as ransomware, online scams, and business email compromise.

Complementing the cybersecurity discussion, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) presented crucial initiatives to strengthen the security of Digital Financial Services (DFS) in Africa, highlighting ongoing efforts such as DFS Security Clinics for knowledge sharing and the establishment of DFS Security Labs in countries like Tanzania, Uganda, and Peru.

ITU’s guidance includes conducting audits on mobile payment apps and SIM cards in multiple countries and fostering collaboration through a Knowledge Sharing Platform for DFS security.

Additionally, the ITU introduced its Cyber Security Resilience Assessment Toolkit to help regulators and operators safeguard critical DFS infrastructure.

Key recommendations from the ITU included mitigating vulnerabilities in the SS7 mobile communication network, developing a Model Memorandum of Understanding between telecommunications regulators and central banks, and securing mobile payment apps and SIM card systems against risks like SIM swap fraud.

Participants at the conference underscored the need for enhanced regional collaboration and knowledge-sharing initiatives to tackle the rising cybersecurity and DFS threats in Africa’s digital ecosystems.

Key priorities identified for the sub-region included the development of cybersecurity guidelines, the protection of consumers of electronic communication services, and the engagement of political leadership to strengthen cybersecurity frameworks. Furthermore, participants acknowledged the necessity of securing telecommunications networks and the importance of subscriber identification to curb cybercrime.

The meeting concluded with a consensus to adopt existing cybersecurity frameworks and standards, rather than creating new ones, and to tailor them to suit the maturity levels of individual countries.

A comprehensive benchmarking exercise will be conducted to analyze best practices and guide the region’s cybersecurity efforts.

In addition to the focus on general cybersecurity, the meeting addressed the growing security challenges posed by mobile devices and the Internet of Things (IoT).

Statistics showed that 90% of organizations in the region had reported at least one cyber incident, underscoring the need for robust security testing. WATRA will develop security testing guidelines for mobile and IoT devices, ensuring that all equipment meets safety standards and is free from vulnerabilities.

The event also featured a presentation by the regulatory authority of Togo on Risk Assessment and Threat Analysis, which highlighted the need for a comprehensive approach to cybersecurity.

The presentation underscored the importance of mapping cyber threats and implementing monitoring mechanisms to mitigate potential risks.

The working group sessions in Banjul emphasized the importance of cybersecurity for West Africa’s digital future, and participants demonstrated their commitment to strengthening national and regional capabilities.

The meeting concluded with a set of recommendations, including the creation of sector-specific Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) for telecommunications, the development of security incident response plans, and the adoption of international standards for managing cyber threats.

As the digital landscape in West Africa continues to evolve, WATRA ’s ongoing efforts to bolster cybersecurity frameworks will be critical to ensuring a secure and resilient cyberspace for all.

Founded in 2002, WATRA is a consultative and collaborative body of Telecommunications Regulators in the West African sub region.

The body aids and advances development of telecommunications in the sub region and ultimately in Africa.

WATRA also collaborates and cooperates with other regional and international organizations towards the ​​attainment of its mission to ensure the rapid development of telecommunications in the sub region.

Aliyu Aboki, the executive secretary of WATRA, at a recent media session said the partnership could be deepened through collaborative regulations and infrastructure development as they remain key drivers to bridging the digital divide and unlocking economic growth in the West African region.

“WATRA serves as a platform for collective action,” Aboki remarked. “By harmonizing telecoms policies and frameworks across member states, we can create a more unified and efficient regulatory environment that fosters investment and innovation.”

WATRA’s recent successes in driving positive change within the region were a key focus of the media session.

According to Aboki, the assembly’s initiatives have contributed to a significant increase in mobile penetration and internet subscriptions within the region.

He pointed out that WATRA  facilitated knowledge sharing and problem-solving among member countries, leading to more efficient regulatory practices.

He added that WATRA’s focus on digitizing its own processes serves as a model for member states, promoting innovation and efficiency within the regulatory landscape.

In response to a question about spectrum costs, a key factor influencing service affordability, Aboki acknowledged the challenge.

He emphasized WATRA’s advocacy for “best practices in spectrum pricing” to ensure wider access and encourage investment. Additionally, he pointed out that WATRA promotes infrastructure sharing among telecom operators, a strategy that can significantly reduce infrastructure rollout costs.

“We ensure that countries with more advanced telecoms infrastructure, share their experiences and methodologies with countries that have less telecoms infrastructure. From time to time, we bring different regulators together to discuss issues that will enhance regulations in their regions. For example, some countries do not have policies on co-location of telecoms infrastructure and WATRA was able to help build the capacities of some of the regulators in such a way that it will attract investors to invest in their telecoms infrastructure rollout,” he said.

On what WATRA is doing to address roaming charges across West Africa , the Executive Secretary explained that the roaming regulation was established in 2017, but it has not been fully implemented across regions for different reasons.

He said one of the reasons is the different roaming charges imposed by various regulators across the regions. “Another challenge is the disparity in tariff charges.

Some countries with large number of subscribers like Nigeria charge lower tariff rate, while countries with smaller number of subscribers charge higher tariff rate. What we need in West Africa is a uniform tariff rate for roaming charges. We are working towards bilateral agreement between countries to achieve it”, he stated.

Aboki argued that WATRA’s focus on regional collaboration, infrastructure development, and spectrum cost reduction positions the organization as a key driver of digital transformation in West Africa.

By fostering a more integrated and efficient telecoms landscape, WATRA can unlock the region’s vast digital potential and empower its citizens through improved access to information and communication technologies.

Dr. Aminu Maida, executive vice chairman of the  Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), made the submission in a statement delivered at the 21st West Africa Telecommunications Regulatory Assembly (WATRA) Annual General Meeting (AGM) which held in Freetown, Sierra Leone, from the 19th to 22nd March 2024.

Dr. Maida, whose message was delivered at the WATRA AGM by Nnenna Ukoha, the deputy director, Public Affairs of the Commission, stated that the recent submarine cable cuts that resulted in nationwide outages on multiple networks in 12 African countries has raised the urgent need for the subregion to establish a mechanism to protect itself from damage to submarine infrastructure and its attendant impact on the subregion.

Maida referred to a report by Cloudflare, an IT service management firm, which indicates that about six countries, including four West African countries, were still suffering from the outages caused by the submarine cable cuts, to buttress the call

“Securing telecom infrastructure is paramount for fostering Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and enhancing investor confidence in the West African sub-region. The reliability and resilience of telecommunications networks are crucial factors that investors consider when evaluating regional opportunities.

“By ensuring the security of these vital assets, we can attract more investment, spur economic growth, and enhance our competitiveness on the global stage. A secure telecoms infrastructure not only facilitates efficient communication and connectivity but also signals a commitment to safeguarding critical assets essential for business operations. This assurance can significantly boost investor confidence and create a conducive environment for sustainable economic development,” he said.

According to him, “the impact of events like cable cuts highlights the need for a coordinated, multilateral approach to protecting shared infrastructure across our member nations.”

Maida therefore, proposed “the urgent need to set up a framework for joint monitoring, risk mitigation, and emergency response procedures for the submarine cables that pass through the sub-region.

“Further to this, we recommend that the WATRA Working Group on Infrastructure expand its mandate to spearhead the development of a comprehensive strategy to safeguard the subregion’s telecommunications networks and associated infrastructure thereby proactively bolstering resilience through improved disaster response protocols to better insulate ourselves from future disruptions.”

He advised that the goals of the Working Group would be to strengthen sub-regional infrastructure resilience, promote the diversification of the sub-region’s connectivity, conduct regular capacity assessments, as well as facilitate the designation of telecommunications infrastructure as critical national infrastructure in member countries.

The West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly, was established in 2002 as a common platform for national telecommunication regulatory authorities in 16 member states to promote the adoption of regulations that stimulate investment in telecommunication infrastructure to deliver more affordable, accessible, faster and secure communication services to citizens.

At the 21st WATRA Annual General Meeting, issues pertaining to accessible and affordable telecommunication services in the sub-region were discussed, including improved consumer protection, quality of service, roaming and conflict resolution for consumers.

A major highlight of the AGM was the reelection of Nigeria’s Engr. Yusuf Aliyu Aboki, as Executive Secretary, for a second term in a unanimous vote by the member countries.

The EVC of NCC commended Engr. Aboki for his firm, inclusive and visionary leadership, which saw the successful delivery of WATRA’s 2022 — 2025 Strategic Plan, noting that Nigeria and indeed the sub-region was proud of the milestones he has achieved during his first tenure.

He further advised the WATRA Executive Secretary to build on the achievements of his first tenure, through stronger partnerships and deeper collaboration while advancing the interests of the sub-regional body.

WATRA was founded in 2002 as a consultative and collaborative body of Telecommunications Regulators in the West African subregion with the objective of aiding and advancing the development of telecommunications in the sub region and ultimately in Africa.

Engr. Aboki visited the EVC yesterday. Nigeria, through the Nigerian Communication Commission is a member of this body of telecommunication regulators, “and we have been at the forefront of providing support to WATRA’.

“During our meeting, Engr. Aboki shared updates to projects that are being undertaken by WATRA, and a rundown of his stewardship in the past 30 months since he was elected as Executive Secretary. I am impressed by the work that has been done by WATRA under Engr. Aboki. He is rest assured of unfettered support from the Commission”, the EVC said.