The African Telecommunication Union wrapped up its conference of plenipotentiaries in Abuja on Friday, selecting Mwale Kezias from Zambia as its next secretary-general. Nigeria hosted the gathering alongside seven other West African nations appointed to the union's administrative council: Burkina Faso, Mali, Ghana, Senegal, Ivory Coast, and Togo.
Nigeria's communications minister, Dr 'Bosun Tijani, congratulated Kezias on his election and urged African countries to deepen their partnership in building a shared digital future. "Every discussion, every decision, every compromise has reflected a shared commitment and belief that Africa's digital future is stronger when we work together," he said.
Tijani, who took the chair on Nigeria's behalf at the closing ceremony, stressed that the conference's value would depend on sustained collaboration. According to him, the decisions made over two days would only succeed if nations remained united "with purpose, mutual trust, and a shared commitment to ensuring that every African benefits from the opportunities of the digital economy."
Kezias defeated four rivals in a closely fought contest: Banzouzi Luc Missidimbazi of Congo, Bayouli Fasal of Tunisia, Lesufi Cynthia of South Africa, and Valery Hilaire Otou of Cameroon. He succeeds John Omo of Kenya, who completed two consecutive four-year terms.
The outgoing secretary-general hailed the conference's conclusion as a pivotal moment for the union. "Member States have completed the work of the Conference.
The Union now has a mandate for its next period and a firmer basis on which to deliver it," Omo said.
Earlier at the conference, the Nigerian Communications Commission's executive vice-chairman called on African telecom regulators to forge stronger, more structured ties. He highlighted that communications now drives economic growth across nations, yet regulators face comparable hurdles despite operating in different markets.
"We may oversee markets of varying sizes, function under distinct legal frameworks, and address different national priorities. However, the realities of our responsibilities are often strikingly similar," he noted.
The NCC chief argued that regulators rarely engage in casual exchanges and must establish more intentional, systematic platforms for learning from one another. He emphasised that mutual experience-sharing strengthens the sector across the continent.
Omo urged member states to maintain the momentum generated in Abuja as they move forward. "The Conference has completed its work, but the work of the Union continues.
May we carry these decisions forward with the same trust, friendship and common purpose that have brought us this far," he added.
