By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
South Africa has joined
other African countries, regulators and ICT stakeholders at the 7th Ordinary
Session of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) Conference of
Plenipotentiaries (CPL-2026) in Abuja, Nigeria, to discuss the future direction
of the continent’s digital ecosystem.
The South African delegation
is being led by Deputy Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies
Mondli Gungubele, with participation from representatives of the Independent
Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) and other ICT stakeholders.
The ATU Conference of
Plenipotentiaries is the union’s highest decision-making platform and is
expected to determine key priorities for Africa’s telecommunications sector in
the coming years.
The conference agenda
includes the election of the next ATU Secretary-General, the selection of
Member States to serve on the ATU Administrative Council and the adoption of
strategic priorities that will guide the organisation’s work.
ICASA said its participation
reflects South Africa’s commitment to regional cooperation and strengthening
Africa’s communications and digital development agenda.
The regulator noted that
engagements at the conference provide an opportunity for African countries to
collaborate on building a more inclusive, connected and resilient digital
future.
The CPL-2026 brings together
governments, regulators, industry leaders and digital stakeholders to address
issues affecting connectivity, innovation, digital inclusion and the future
governance of telecommunications across the continent.
