In a historic step towards deepening international cooperation, the West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly (WATRA) hosted the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU), led by Mr. Rodney Taylor, the secretary general, on a courtesy visit to its Abuja Secretariat.
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.
