Ministers of Telecommunications, Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), and the Digital Economy in Africa will convene in Nigeria’s federal capital, Abuja, from July 23rd to 24th, 2026, for the 7th Ordinary Session of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) Conference of Plenipotentiaries (CPL-26).
In attendance at the conference will be regulators, senior government officials, industry leaders, academia, and development partners. They’d engage in dialogue and take strategic decisions that will shape Africa’s digital and telecommunications agenda over the next four years.
The conference is the highest decision-making body of the African Telecommunications Union and comes at a significant moment in Africa’s digital transformation journey.
Africa unites to make progress
Dr. Bosun Tijani, minister of communications, innovation, and digital economy, sees the conference as an opportunity to strengthen regional ties, chart a common course on emerging technologies, and create an enabling environment that attracts investment.
He said Nigeria, under the leadership of President Tinubu, is building an innovation-driven economy while strengthening African cooperation on digital infrastructure, technology governance, skills development, and investment.
“Nigeria is honoured to host the 7th Ordinary Session of the ATU Conference of Plenipotentiaries at a defining moment for Africa’s digital future,” Tijani notes. “As countries across our continent accelerate digital transformation, it is increasingly important that we strengthen regional cooperation, develop common positions on emerging technologies, and create enabling environments that attract investment, build digital talent, and expand meaningful connectivity.”
The conference offers Nigeria a platform to cement its position as a pivotal leader in Africa’s digital economy and contribute to policies that enhance Africa’s position in the global technology and telecommunications ecosystem.
In his remarks, Secretary General of the African Telecommunications Union, John Omo, describes the gathering as a defining opportunity for member states to strengthen the Union’s capacity to support Africa’s digital ambitions.
“What I believe this Conference must deliver is a Union capable of meeting the expectations member states have placed upon it, Omo says. “The decisions taken in Abuja will determine so much of ATU’s ability to support national priorities, sustain Africa’s participation in global fora and respond credibly to rapid technological change, that we cannot afford to make them without a clear view of the Union Africa will need over the next four years.”
Victoria Fakiya – Senior Writer
Techpoint Digest
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What to expect at CPL-26
Network connectivity has remained a challenge in some African countries, especially Nigeria, where widespread poor internet service has continued to make headlines. The conference will seek to find a solution to this through a ministerial dialogue titled ‘Achieving Africa’s Meaningful Connectivity,’ jointly convened by the ATU and the GSMA.
It is expected that practical approaches to expanding affordable, reliable, and high-quality connectivity across the continent will be discussed, but many Africans will hope that this doesn’t end with another panel and that meaningful impact results.
Decisions on continental priorities, including digital infrastructure, meaningful connectivity, spectrum management, emerging technologies, artificial intelligence, digital skills, and institutional governance, will take centre stage at the event.
The conference is expected to conclude with the adoption of the Abuja Declaration, which will provide governments, industry, regulators, and development partners with a shared framework for advancing Africa’s digital transformation agenda.
For Nigeria, hosting CPL-26 further underscores the country’s commitment to regional collaboration and reinforces its growing role in shaping digital policy, attracting investment, and advancing technology-driven development across the continent.
