African countries should unite in their stance on digital and telecommunications regulations, according to Shettima.

Vice President Kashim Shettima is urging African countries to bolster their cooperative efforts and present a unified front in global discussions surrounding artificial intelligence, telecommunications, and digital governance, emphasizing that no single African nation can independently achieve the continent's digital aspirations on its own.

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Shettima stressed that unity among African countries would significantly enhance the continent's influence over policies and standards shaping emerging technologies, speaking at the seventh Ordinary Session of the Conference of Plenipotentiaries of the African Telecommunications Union, held at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja, where he was represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Ibrahim Hadejia.

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The conference provides African countries with an opportunity to coordinate their priorities ahead of the 2026 International Telecommunication Union Plenipotentiary Conference and support African candidates seeking positions within the ITU, according to Shettima, who noted that collaboration is essential for the continent's future.

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Shettima emphasized the importance of countries working together to expand affordable internet access, strengthen cybersecurity, improve spectrum management, harmonize standards, and develop rules for responsible artificial intelligence, stating that "no single nation, regardless of its size or resources, can fully realise Africa's digital ambitions in isolation.

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He further emphasized the need for collective action, saying "we must work together to expand affordable connectivity, strengthen cybersecurity, promote responsible AI governance, harmonise standards, improve spectrum management and accelerate digital trade across our continent," highlighting the continent's dependence on collaboration for its digital future.

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Digital technologies have become central to economic competitiveness, public service delivery, and employment opportunities, particularly for Africa's young population, with broadband networks, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, satellite communications, and secure digital infrastructure becoming as crucial to development as traditional infrastructure like roads, power, railways, and ports, according to Shettima.

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Africa must transition from merely participating in international technology debates to shaping the decisions that will determine the future of digital development, Shettima said, noting that "for too long, global technology policies have often been developed without adequate representation of African priorities and perspectives, a situation that must change.

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When Africa speaks with one voice, its influence is amplified, its priorities receive greater attention, and its collective interests are better protected, according to Shettima, who also stated that Nigeria remains committed to broadband expansion, artificial intelligence, digital public infrastructure, cybersecurity, innovation, and the development of a competitive technology workforce under President Bola Tinubu's administration.

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Africa's digital transformation is closely tied to the African Union's Agenda 2063 and the Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa, with technology expected to translate into jobs, better education, improved healthcare, financial inclusion, and stronger participation by women and young people, Shettima noted, saying "the next chapter of Africa's integration will not be written by roads and rail alone, but also by fibre, satellites, data, artificial intelligence, and the partnerships that connect our people and our economies.

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The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, emphasized the need for Africa to arrive at the ITU conference later in the year prepared, united, and credible, stating that the continent has a major opportunity to influence the next phase of the global digital economy due to its young population, growing entrepreneurial base, and rapidly expanding technology ecosystem.

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Tijani noted that Africa must continue to invest in technical preparation, strengthen regional cooperation, and speak with one voice where its interests align, saying "Africa must arrive prepared, united and credible, and we must continue to invest in technical preparation, strengthen regional cooperation and speak with one voice where our interests align.

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ATU membership has risen to 52 countries, with the union strengthening its legal framework and making progress in implementing its 2023–2027 Strategic and Financial Plan, according to Tijani, who also announced the expansion of Nigeria's N-ATLAS artificial intelligence project into a continental initiative known as the ATLAS Network.

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The ATLAS Network aims to bring together governments, researchers, innovators, universities, and technology partners to develop artificial intelligence systems that reflect African languages, cultures, and knowledge, with fewer than two per cent of African languages currently meaningfully supported by modern AI systems, despite the continent accounting for nearly one-third of the world's languages, Tijani explained.

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Nigeria launched N-ATLAS, Africa's first government-backed open-source large language model, at the United Nations General Assembly in 2025, and is now expanding this initiative into a continental framework, with Tijani saying "today, I am pleased to announce that, together with partners across Africa, we are taking the next step by expanding this initiative into a continental framework, the ATLAS Network.

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The ATLAS Network's ambition is to accelerate the development of locally relevant large language models in Africa, by Africa and for Africa, according to Tijani, who invited all ATU member countries to join the project and emphasized the need for Africa to participate in determining the direction of artificial intelligence rather than just adopting it.

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Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union, Doreen Bogdan-Martin, noted that Africa is transitioning from being a consumer of technology to becoming an innovator, standard setter, and global partner, saying "Africa will not simply participate in the digital future, Africa will help shape it, not only as a consumer of technology, but as a creator, an innovator, a standard setter and a trusted global partner.

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African perspectives will be critical at the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference, where decisions will be taken on the organisation's priorities and direction for the next four years, according to Bogdan-Martin, who noted that the ITU and ATU have worked together on various initiatives, including radio communications, standardisation, school connectivity, capacity development, and sustainable financing for Africa's digital infrastructure.

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Secretary-General of the ATU, John Omo, urged member countries to increase their financial contributions to the union, warning that it cannot deliver on its mandate without adequate resources, saying "we cannot have a union without resources, and member states' commitment in terms of contributions will be central to ensuring and fulfilling the plan that we will set before you.

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The proposed budget for the 2027–2031 cycle includes more than $1.7m for mandatory activities requiring additional funding, according to Omo, who noted that member-state contributions remain the foundation of the ATU's operations, although the union has also expanded partnerships with organisations including the United Nations Office for Digital and Emerging Technologies, GSMA, Qualcomm, Helios Towers, SBA Communications, American Tower Corporation, and the Nigerian Communications Commission.

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Delegates will consider the ATU's institutional, financial, and strategic direction, as well as leadership, resources, and Africa's preparation for the 2026 ITU conference, according to Omo, who emphasized the importance of member countries' commitment to the union's success.

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Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Aminu Maida, called for African unity, particularly as member states prepare to elect a new leadership team for the continental body, saying that the meeting is important to Nigeria and the continent due to the decisions and elections expected to shape Africa's future position in the telecommunications sector.

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Stronger coordination among member countries will help Africa protect its interests and improve its standing in the global telecommunications industry, according to Maida, who emphasized the need for collective action to achieve the continent's digital aspirations.