By:
Nana Appiah Acquaye
The
African Telecommunications Union (ATU) has reaffirmed its commitment to
deepening cooperation with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
following high-level discussions between senior officials from both
organisations.
ATU
Secretary General John Omo met with the Director of the ITU Telecommunication
Development Bureau, Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, to explore continued
collaboration on digital development initiatives across Africa. The meeting
focused on strengthening partnerships aimed at accelerating the continent’s
digital transformation agenda.
The
discussions highlighted ongoing cooperation between ATU and the ITU
Telecommunication Development Bureau, including support provided through ITU
programmes in Africa. Also present was Dr Emmanuel Chifuel Manasseh, Regional
Director at the ITU Regional Office for Africa, whose office plays a key role
in implementing ITU development priorities across the continent.

Key
areas of engagement included digital capacity building for young people in
Africa, preparations for the upcoming ITU Regional Development Forum for Africa
scheduled to take place in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, and the implementation of
regional initiatives designed to advance connectivity and digital inclusion.
The
meeting also addressed coordination efforts ahead of the ITU Plenipotentiary
Conference in 2026, where African stakeholders are expected to play a
significant role in shaping global telecommunications policy and development
frameworks.
ATU
expressed appreciation for the ITU’s longstanding support to the Union and
reiterated its commitment to sustained collaboration with the ITU
Telecommunication Development Bureau and other partners in advancing Africa’s
digital development priorities.