Shettima pushes for stronger African voice in global digital policy

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By Progress Godfrey

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Vice President Kashim Shettima has called for greater African influence in shaping global telecommunications and digital policies.

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He said that the continent must move beyond participation to actively driving decisions that will determine the future of digital technologies.

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Speaking at the High-Level Segment of the 7th Ordinary Session of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) Conference of Plenipotentiaries (CPL-26) in Abuja, Shettima said Africa’s priorities have for too long been underrepresented in global technology governance.

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Represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hadejia, the Vice President reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to regional digital cooperation, innovation and inclusive technology development.

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He said Africa must speak with a stronger and more coordinated voice in international digital policy discussions.

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“For too long, global technology policies have been developed without adequate representation of African priorities and perspectives. That must change,” he said.

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Shettima added that Nigeria would continue working through both the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to ensure Africa plays a leading role in global digital decision-making.

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The conference, attended by ministers, regulators, industry executives and policymakers from the ATU’s 52 member states, is expected to deliberate on key issues including digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, spectrum management, digital skills development and Africa’s engagement in global digital governance.

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Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, said deeper collaboration among African countries had become imperative as digital technologies continue to transform economies across the continent.

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He announced the launch of the ATLAS Network, a continental initiative aimed at accelerating the development of African Large Language Models (LLMs).

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The initiative, which builds on Nigeria’s N-ATLAS programme, will bring together governments, universities, researchers, innovators and technology partners to develop AI systems that reflect Africa’s languages, cultures and knowledge systems.

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