By: Nana Appiah Acquaye
Southern African Development
Community (SADC) Ministers responsible for Information and Communication
Technologies (ICT) have endorsed the candidature of Eng. Kezias Kazuba Mwale
for the position of Secretary General of the African Telecommunications Union
(ATU).
The endorsement was captured
in Decision 25 of the Meeting of SADC Ministers Responsible for ICT and
Information held on 28 February 2025 in Harare, Zimbabwe. The ministers urged
Member States to consider supporting Eng. Mwale’s candidature for the position
of ATU Secretary General during the 7th Ordinary Session of the ATU Conference
of Plenipotentiaries scheduled to take place in July or August 2026 in Abuja,
Nigeria.
Eng. Mwale, who has served
as ATU Director for Spectrum since 2012, said his candidature is driven by a
commitment to advancing the organisation’s transformation and strengthening its
role in Africa’s telecommunications sector.
Reflecting on his journey
with the ATU, he noted that his involvement began in 2012 when he was invited
by former ATU Secretary General Mr. Soumaila to contribute to efforts aimed at
revitalising the organisation.
He highlighted several
achievements during his tenure, including an increase in ATU membership, growth
in the organisation’s annual budget, expansion of associate membership and the
delivery of greater value to Member States.
According to Eng. Mwale,
these milestones demonstrate the progress achieved by the organisation and
provide a foundation for further strengthening the ATU’s impact across the
continent.
He said his vision for the
ATU is centred on leveraging Africa’s talent and expertise to accelerate
digital transformation, bridge connectivity gaps and ensure the continent plays
a stronger role in shaping global telecommunications policies.
The ATU Secretary General
election will take place during the 7th Ordinary Session of the ATU Conference
of Plenipotentiaries in 2026, where member states will select the next leader
of the continental telecommunications body.
