Seventh ATU Conference of Plenipotentiaries Concludes in Abuja with Decisions for Union’s Future
ABUJA, NIGERIA, 24 JULY 2026 – The Seventh Ordinary Session of the African Telecommunications Union Conference of Plenipotentiaries has concluded in Abuja after Member States completed decisions that will guide the Union through its next institutional period.
Held on 23rd and 24th July 2026, CPL-26 considered the Union’s strategic and financial direction, its governing instruments, Member State contributions and preparations for the 2026 ITU Plenipotentiary Conference.
“Member States have completed the work of the Conference. The Union now has a mandate for its next period and a firmer basis on which to deliver it,” ATU Secretary General John Omo said.
The Conference elected Eng. Kezias Kazuba Mwale of the Republic of Zambia as the next Secretary General after four rounds of voting. He received 21 of the 34 votes cast in the fourth and final round. Ms Cynthia Lesufi of South Africa received eight votes, while Mr OTTOU Valery Hilaire of Cameroon received five.
Five candidates entered the election. Mr Faysal Bayouli of Tunisia left the contest after the first round under the applicable electoral procedure, while the Republic of the Congo withdrew Mr Missidimbazi Banzouzi Luc after the third round. The final round was decided by a simple majority.
Eng. MWALE will assume office on 1st January 2027 for the four-year term provided for under the ATU Constitution. He has served as the Union’s Director for Radiocommunications since 2012 and previously held spectrum engineering and management responsibilities at the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority.
“I accept this mandate with a deep sense of responsibility, mindful that leadership is not a privilege to be enjoyed, but a trust to be honoured and carefully guarded,” Eng. MWALE said.
Honourable Felix C. Mutati, Minister of Technology and Science of Zambia, said the proceedings reflected a common continental purpose. “This Conference was conducted in the spirit of Ubuntu: that we are one Africa, pursuing the same destination and seeking to change the lives of our people,” he said.
Mr Omo will remain fully responsible for leading the General Secretariat and advancing the Union’s programme through the remainder of his term. He committed to work with the Secretary General-elect and provide the information, cooperation and institutional support required for an orderly assumption of responsibility.
The Conference also transferred the Chairmanship of the Conference of Plenipotentiaries from Algeria to Nigeria. Member States thanked Algeria for its stewardship since the Sixth Ordinary Session in Algiers in 2022 and welcomed Nigeria to the Chairmanship for the next institutional cycle.
Honourable Dr ‘Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy of Nigeria, assumed the Chairmanship on behalf of the country.
“Every discussion, every decision and every compromise has reflected a shared commitment and belief that Africa’s digital future is stronger when we work together,” Honourable Tijani said.
The Conference elected 25 Member States to serve on the Administrative Council for the forthcoming four-year period. West Africa will be represented by Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal and Togo; North Africa by Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia; Southern Africa by Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe; Eastern Africa by Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda; and Central Africa by Burundi, Cameroon, Chad, the Republic of the Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
At a Ministerial Meeting hosted earlier in the day by the session’s and CPL’s official partner, GSMA Africa, Member States also adopted the “2026 Abuja Declaration on Meaningful Connectivity for Africa,” setting out a common approach to closing connectivity and usage gaps, particularly in rural, remote and underserved communities.
The Declaration commits Member States to technology-neutral regulation, greater regulatory parity and continental harmonisation, fair access to spectrum and fibre, shared infrastructure, streamlined approvals, consumer protection, cybersecurity, data governance and fair fiscal treatment. It also addresses smartphone and data affordability, digital literacy and locally relevant content, with particular attention to women, girls, young people and persons with disabilities.
Hosted by the Government of Nigeria with support from the Nigerian Communications Commission, and in partnership with Qualcomm, ICANN, Helios Towers, SBA Communications and American Tower, the Conference brought together Ministers, heads of delegation, the African Union Commission, the International Telecommunication Union, Associate Members, partners and sector representatives.
“The Conference has completed its work, but the work of the Union continues,” Mr Omo said. “May we carry these decisions forward with the same trust, friendship and common purpose that have brought us this far.”