By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
The African Union Commission
has congratulated Eng. Kezias Kazuba Mwale of Zambia on his election as
Secretary-General of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) for the
2027–2031 term, describing his appointment as coming at a pivotal moment for
Africa’s digital transformation.
The congratulatory message
was issued by the African Union Commission’s Department of Infrastructure and
Energy, which also extended its congratulations to the Member States elected to
serve on the ATU Administrative Council.
African Union Commissioner
for Infrastructure and Energy, H.E. Lerato D. Mataboge, who addressed delegates
during the opening of the 7th Ordinary Session of the ATU Conference of
Plenipotentiaries (CPL-26) in Abuja, welcomed the election of Eng. Mwale and
expressed confidence in the incoming leadership.
The Commission noted that
Eng. Mwale assumes office as the ATU prepares to implement key decisions
adopted during CPL-26, including the Union’s four-year strategic direction and
the Abuja Declaration on Meaningful Connectivity, both aimed at accelerating
digital inclusion and connectivity across Africa.
The African Union also paid
tribute to outgoing ATU Secretary-General John Omo for his leadership over the
past eight years, acknowledging his contribution to strengthening Africa’s
coordination and influence in global telecommunications and digital policy
forums.
According to the Commission,
Omo’s leadership played an important role in aligning African positions on key
digital issues at major international meetings held in cities including Kigali,
Cape Town and Geneva.
The African Union reaffirmed
its commitment to working closely with Eng. Mwale and the newly elected
Administrative Council, noting that collaboration between the African Union
Commission and the ATU remains critical to advancing the continent’s digital transformation
agenda.
The Commission said it looks
forward to partnering with the incoming ATU leadership in preparations for the
International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Plenipotentiary Conference later
this year and in implementing Africa’s long-term digital development priorities.
