Nigeria emerges ATU chair, Zambia’s Mwale elected secretary-general
Nigeria has assumed the chairmanship of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) Conference of Plenipotentiaries following the conclusion of the organisation’s seventh ordinary session in Abuja, where member states also elected Zambia’s Kezias Kazuba Mwale as the union’s next secretary-general.
The two-day conference ended on Friday with delegates adopting the 2026 Abuja Declaration on Meaningful Connectivity for Africa and approving key governance and strategic decisions expected to shape the organisation’s activities over the next four years.
Speaking at the close of the conference, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, said the resolutions reached by member states would only achieve their objectives through sustained collaboration across the continent.
“Every discussion, every decision, every compromise has reflected a shared commitment and belief that Africa’s digital future is stronger when we work together,” Tijani said.
“The decisions we have taken over the past two days will only achieve their intended impact if we continue to work together with purpose, mutual trust, and a shared commitment to ensuring that every African benefits from the opportunities of the digital economy.”
The minister expressed appreciation to member states, delegates, development partners and the ATU Secretariat for what he described as the spirit of cooperation that defined the conference.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to working with other African countries to expand digital infrastructure, strengthen digital skills, promote responsible innovation and enhance Africa’s influence in global digital governance.
The conference also elected Mwale as ATU secretary-general after four rounds of voting. He secured 21 of the 34 votes cast in the final ballot and will assume office on January 1, 2027, for a four-year term.
