The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has called on African countries to adopt a unified approach to spectrum management ahead of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) conference scheduled to hold in Doha, Qatar, later this year.
The commission said greater cooperation among members of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) is essential to attract investment, expand digital infrastructure and promote digital inclusion across the continent.
Speaking at the opening of the ATU Conference of Plenipotentiaries, Ambassadors and Heads of Telecommunications Regulatory Bodies in Abuja, the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr Aminu Wada Maida, urged African regulators to strengthen collaboration on key technology policies.
He stressed the need for harmonised positions on spectrum allocation, data protection, artificial intelligence governance, universal digital access and cybersecurity to ensure Africa speaks with one voice at global telecommunications discussions.
According to Maida, no single country can effectively address the challenges of the digital era alone, making continuous regulatory cooperation and knowledge sharing among African nations increasingly important.
He encouraged member states to support technical experts, maintain consistent representation at international forums and actively contribute to the development of global technology standards rather than merely adopting decisions made elsewhere.
Maida noted that Africa’s rapidly growing digital economy, expanding mobile connectivity and youthful population make it essential for the continent to play a greater role in shaping international policies on connectivity, digital identity, artificial intelligence and digital trust.
Also speaking at the event, the Secretary-General of the African Telecommunications Union, Dr John Omo, thanked the Nigerian government for hosting the conference and highlighted the organisation’s steady growth.
He revealed that the ATU’s membership has expanded from 49 to 52 member states over the past four years, while its associate membership has increased from 50 to 56, reflecting stronger regional cooperation ahead of the ITU conference.
