By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola
Vice President Kashim Shettima has called on African countries to strengthen collaboration and present a common position in global discussions on artificial intelligence, telecommunications and digital governance, saying no nation on the continent can achieve its digital ambitions in isolation.
Shettima made the call on Thursday, 23 July ,2026 while declaring open the Seventh Ordinary Session of the Conference of Plenipotentiaries of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja.
Represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hadejia, the Vice President said the conference offered African countries the opportunity to harmonise their priorities ahead of the 2026 International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Plenipotentiary Conference and rally support for African candidates seeking elective positions within the global body.
He stressed that greater cooperation among African countries would enhance the continent’s influence in shaping policies, standards and regulations governing emerging technologies.
According to him, digital technologies have become central to economic competitiveness, efficient public service delivery and job creation, particularly for Africa’s youthful population.
Shettima noted that broadband infrastructure, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, satellite communications and secure digital infrastructure have become as critical to development as roads, railways, power and ports.
He urged African countries to work together to expand affordable internet access, strengthen cybersecurity, harmonise technical standards, improve spectrum management, promote responsible artificial intelligence governance and accelerate digital trade across the continent.
The Vice President also maintained that Africa must move beyond merely participating in global technology conversations and begin influencing decisions that will shape the future of digital development.
He observed that global technology policies had, for too long, evolved without adequate representation of African interests and priorities, adding that a united African voice would command greater influence and protect the continent’s collective interests.
Shettima further reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to broadband expansion, artificial intelligence, digital public infrastructure, cybersecurity, innovation and the development of a globally competitive technology workforce.
He linked Africa’s digital aspirations to the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa, stressing that technology must translate into jobs, improved education, quality healthcare, financial inclusion and greater participation by women and young people in the digital economy.
Also speaking, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, urged African countries to approach the forthcoming ITU conference united, prepared and credible.
He said Africa possesses a unique opportunity to shape the next phase of the global digital economy because of its youthful population, expanding entrepreneurial base and rapidly growing technology ecosystem.
Tijani disclosed that the African Telecommunications Union now has 52 member states and has continued to strengthen its legal framework while making significant progress in implementing its 2023–2027 Strategic and Financial Plan.
The Minister also announced the expansion of Nigeria’s N-ATLAS artificial intelligence initiative into a continental project known as the ATLAS Network.
He explained that fewer than two per cent of African languages are meaningfully represented in modern artificial intelligence systems despite the continent accounting for nearly one-third of the world’s languages.
According to him, Nigeria launched N-ATLAS, Africa’s first government-backed open-source large language model, during the 2025 United Nations General Assembly.
He said the ATLAS Network would bring together governments, researchers, universities, innovators and technology partners across Africa to develop artificial intelligence systems that reflect African languages, cultures and indigenous knowledge.
Tijani invited all ATU member states to participate in the initiative, maintaining that Africa should not limit itself to adopting artificial intelligence but should also play a leading role in determining its future direction.
In her remarks, Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union, Doreen Bogdan-Martin, said Africa was steadily evolving from being a consumer of technology into an innovator, creator, standard setter and trusted global partner.
She noted that telecommunications infrastructure continues to expand across the continent, while digital public infrastructure is transforming public service delivery.
Bogdan-Martin added that the ITU and ATU have sustained collaboration in radio communications, standardisation, school connectivity, capacity development and financing for Africa’s digital infrastructure.
She stressed that Africa’s experience, innovation and leadership would play a decisive role at the 2026 ITU Plenipotentiary Conference, where decisions on the organisation’s priorities and strategic direction for the next four years would be taken.
Earlier, the Secretary-General of the African Telecommunications Union, John Omo, urged member states to increase their financial contributions to the union, warning that its programmes could not be effectively implemented without adequate funding.
He disclosed that the proposed budget for the 2027–2031 cycle includes more than $1.7 million for mandatory activities requiring additional funding.
Omo explained that while member states’ contributions remain the foundation of the union’s operations, the ATU has continued to expand partnerships with organisations, including the United Nations Office for Digital and Emerging Technologies, GSMA, Qualcomm, Helios Towers, SBA Communications, American Tower Corporation and the Nigerian Communications Commission.
He added that delegates would deliberate on the union’s institutional, financial and strategic direction, leadership, resource mobilisation and Africa’s preparations for the 2026 ITU Plenipotentiary Conference.
The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr Aminu Maida, also advocated stronger unity among African countries, particularly as member states prepare to elect a new leadership for the continental body.
Maida said the conference was significant not only for Nigeria but for the entire continent because of the far-reaching decisions and elections expected to shape Africa’s future position in the global telecommunications sector.
He expressed confidence that stronger coordination among member states would enable Africa to protect its interests and reinforce its influence in the global telecommunications industry.
