Vice President Kashim Shettima has asked countries to work better together and take the same position when making global policies about artificial intelligence, telecommunications and digital governance.
He said that the continent’s plans for growth can only happen if all the countries work together. This was said when he opened the Seventh Ordinary Session of the Conference of Plenipotentiaries of the African Telecommunications Union in Abuja.
Represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Ibrahim Hadejia Shettima said that no single African country no matter how big or how rich it is can reach the continent’s goals by itself. He said that a strong African voice will make the continent more important when talking about technologies and global digital standards.
The Vice President asked member states to work to make internet access cheaper to improve cybersecurity to make sure that radio frequencies are managed the same way to make sure that AI is used properly and to make digital trade move faster across Africa. He said that working together is important to make sure that Africa’s needs are part of global technology policies.
Shettima said that broadband networks, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, satellite connections and safe digital systems are now just as important for development as roads, railways, electricity and ports. He added that Africa needs to go beyond just talking about technology in meetings and start making decisions that shape the future of digital innovation.
Also speaking at the event the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy Dr. Bosun Tijani said Africa must come together and have policies when going to the International Telecommunication Union Plenipotentiary Conference. He said that the continent’s young people and the growing technology scene give a chance to affect the next part of the global digital economy.
Tijani also said that Nigeria is making the N-ATLAS artificial intelligence initiative bigger and turning it into the ATLAS Network. This is a place where governments, researchers, universities and tech partners can come together to build AI systems that show languages, cultures and knowledge. He asked all ATU countries to join the initiative. Said that Africa should not just use AI technologies but help decide how they will be used in the future.
The conference is expected to create an African position before the 2026 ITU Plenipotentiary Conference. People who are taking part believe that better cooperation in AI, telecommunications and digital governance will make Africa more powerful, in the world while making access, new ideas and lasting economic growth better across the continent.
