Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged African nations to speak with one voice in shaping the global digital agenda, insisting that no single country can achieve the continent’s digital transformation goals in isolation.
Shettima made the call on Thursday while declaring open the 7th Ordinary Session of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) Conference of Plenipotentiaries in Abuja.
Represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hadejia, the Vice President said digital technology has become a major driver of economic growth, national competitiveness and opportunities for Africa’s growing youth population.
He stressed that Africa must play a stronger role in determining global technology policies, noting that the continent has for too long been underrepresented in key international digital discussions.
“Africa must also assume a more prominent role in shaping the global digital agenda. For too long, global technology policies have often been developed without adequate representation of African priorities and perspectives. That must change,” he said.
According to Shettima, broadband infrastructure, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, satellite communications and secure digital networks have become as critical to national development as roads, railways, electricity and ports.
He said Africa’s digital future depends on stronger collaboration among member states to expand affordable internet access, improve cyber security, promote responsible artificial intelligence governance, harmonise digital standards and spectrum management, and accelerate digital trade.
The Vice President described the African Telecommunications Union as an indispensable platform for coordinating the continent’s digital priorities and ensuring Africa speaks with a stronger voice on the global stage.
Shettima also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment under President Bola Tinubu’s administration to investments in broadband infrastructure, artificial intelligence, cyber security, digital public infrastructure and the development of a globally competitive digital workforce.
He noted that the investments are designed not only to benefit Nigeria but also to contribute to Africa’s overall digital development.
Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, said Africa risks being left behind in the AI revolution as less than two per cent of the continent’s languages are currently supported by modern artificial intelligence systems despite Africa accounting for nearly one-third of the world’s languages.
Tijani disclosed that Nigeria launched the Nigerian Atlas for Languages and AI at Scale (N-ATLAS) during the United Nations General Assembly to digitise indigenous languages and preserve the country’s rich linguistic heritage.
He announced that the initiative is now being expanded into the African Platform for Languages and AI Systems (APLAS) Network, which will bring together governments, researchers, innovators and academic institutions to develop locally relevant large language models for Africa.
“This is our opportunity not simply to adopt Artificial Intelligence, but to help shape its future—for Africa, by Africa,” Tijani said, while calling on African countries to join the initiative.
Also speaking, Secretary-General of the African Telecommunications Union, John Omo, called for greater unity among member states and increased support for the Union’s Secretariat to enable it to effectively coordinate Africa’s digital agenda.
He urged member states to continue speaking with one voice in advancing digital development across the continent.
The Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Doreen Bogdan-Martin, said Africa is rapidly transforming from a consumer of technology into a creator, innovator and global standard-setter.
“Africa will not simply participate in the digital future. Africa will help shape it,” she declared.
Bogdan-Martin noted that expanding digital infrastructure, innovation driven by Africa’s youthful population and growing investments in digital public infrastructure have positioned the continent as a key player in global digital transformation.
She urged African countries to maintain a united front ahead of the World Telecommunication/ICT Forum and the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference later this year, saying a common African position would be crucial in shaping the future of global telecommunications.
Earlier, Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida, welcomed delegates and stressed that Africa’s unity remains critical to securing the continent’s place in the global telecommunications industry.
The conference is expected to harmonise Africa’s common position ahead of the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference scheduled to hold in Doha, Qatar, from November 9 to 27, 2026.
