By: Nana Appiah Acquaye
The election of a new
Secretary-General of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) is currently
underway in Abuja, Nigeria, as member states gather for the Seventh Ordinary
Session of the ATU Conference of Plenipotentiaries (CPL-2026) to determine the
organisation’s leadership for the next four-year term.
The election brings together
representatives from 52 ATU member states who are voting to select the next
head of Africa’s leading telecommunications institution, which plays a key role
in shaping continental ICT policies, promoting connectivity and representing
Africa’s interests in global digital discussions.
The incoming
Secretary-General will serve from January 1, 2027, to December 31, 2030, with
the possibility of one additional term.
Four candidates from
different regions of Africa are contesting for the position, each bringing
extensive experience in telecommunications policy, digital transformation,
spectrum management and international ICT negotiations.
The candidates are Ms
Cynthia Leungo Lesufi of South Africa, Eng. Kezias Kazuba Mwale of Zambia, Mr
Faysal Bayouli of Tunisia and Mr Ottou Valéry Hilaire of Cameroon.
Lesufi, South Africa’s
candidate, brings more than two decades of experience in public service and
multilateral ICT engagements, including representing Africa in major
international telecommunications negotiations through the International
Telecommunication Union (ITU).
Mwale, Zambia’s nominee,
currently serves as ATU Director for Spectrum and has more than a decade of
experience within the ATU Secretariat, with expertise in spectrum management,
satellite resources and broadband development.
Tunisia’s Faysal Bayouli
enters the race with extensive experience in ICT diplomacy and international
cooperation, having served in leadership roles involving African and global
telecommunications policy coordination.
Cameroon’s Ottou Valéry
Hilaire brings more than 20 years of experience in telecommunications
regulation, spectrum management and African coordination at major international
conferences, including the 2023 World Radiocommunication Conference.
The CPL-2026, which serves
as ATU’s highest decision-making body, is also expected to elect members of the
ATU Administrative Council for the 2027–2030 period and adopt strategic
priorities that will guide the Union’s work in the coming years.
Key issues expected to shape
the discussions include advancing universal meaningful connectivity,
strengthening digital infrastructure, improving spectrum management, promoting
innovation and ensuring Africa maintains a coordinated voice in global ICT governance.
