With technology reshaping economies and societies worldwide, African leaders are calling for stronger collaboration to ensure the continent is not left behind in the digital revolution.
Vice President, Kashim Shettima, made the call on Thursday at the opening of the 7th Ordinary Session of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) Conference of Plenipotentiaries in Abuja, stressing that no country can achieve Africa’s digital ambitions alone.
Represented by Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hadejia, Shettima said digital technology has become a major driver of competitiveness, economic growth and youth opportunities.
He urged African countries to collaborate on broadband expansion, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence governance and digital trade, while calling for greater representation of African priorities in global technology policies.
“For too long, global technology policies have often been developed without adequate representation of African priorities and perspectives. That must change”, Shettima said.
He described the ATU as critical to helping Africa coordinate its digital agenda and project a stronger global voice.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, said Africa must develop AI systems that reflect its languages and cultures. Tijani noted that less than two per cent of African languages are supported by modern AI systems despite the continent accounting for nearly one-third of the world’s languages.
He said Nigeria’s Nigerian Atlas for Languages and AI at Scale (N-ATLAS) initiative is being expanded into the APLAS Network to support the development of locally relevant AI models across Africa.
ITU Secretary-General, Doreen Bogdan-Martin, said Africa is moving from being a consumer of technology to becoming a creator, innovator and global standard-setter.
“Africa will not simply participate in the digital future. Africa will help shape it”, she said.
The conference is expected to develop Africa’s common positions ahead of the International Telecommunication Union Plenipotentiary Conference scheduled for Doha, Qatar, in November 2026.
