Kezias Mwale Elected ATU Secretary‑General, Nigeria Assumes Chairmanship

The African Telecommunications Union (ATU) held its 7th Ordinary Session of the Conference of Plenipotentiaries (CPL‑26) in Abuja, Nigeria. The two‑day conference concluded with Nigeria taking over the chairmanship of the Conference of Plenipotentiaries, succeeding Algeria. Nigerian Minister of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy Dr Bosun Tijani urged member states to sustain cooperation, stating, “Every discussion, every decision and every compromise reflected our shared commitment to a stronger digital future for Africa.”

Engineers Kezias Kazuba Mwale of Zambia was elected Secretary‑General for the 2027‑2030 term, winning 21 of the 34 votes after four rounds of voting, defeating candidates from South Africa, Cameroon and Tunisia. Mwale pledged to serve all member states impartially and to advance inclusive digital growth across the continent.

Delegates also adopted the 2026 Abuja Declaration on Meaningful Connectivity, committing to technology‑neutral regulation, expanded broadband, improved spectrum and fibre access, and stronger consumer protection, cybersecurity, and digital inclusion for women, youth and persons with disabilities.

In parallel, five African governments – Nigeria, Kenya, Togo, Namibia and Benin – launched the ATLAS Umoja AI project, an initiative to develop artificial‑intelligence systems for African languages, supported by the GSMA and other partners. The project aims to reduce language barriers to internet adoption and reinforce Africa’s digital sovereignty.