By: Kanto
Kai Okanta
The 72nd Governing Council
session of the African Regional Telecommunication Institute (AFRALTI) is
underway in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, bringing together member states and key
partners to discuss the future of ICT and telecommunications development across
Africa.
Hosted by the Postal and
Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ), the session is
chaired by Mozambique’s Instituto Nacional das Comunicações de Moçambique
(INCM) and brings together representatives of regulatory authorities, telecommunications
institutions, industry and training organisations from across the continent.
The convening was officially
opened by Dr Beullah Chirume, Permanent Secretary in Zimbabwe’s Ministry of
Information, Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services, who
delivered the opening remarks.
Welcoming remarks were
delivered by AFRALTI Director William Baraza, followed by contributions from
Alfred Marisa, Deputy Director General of POTRAZ, and Celso Xerinda, Executive
Board Member of INCM and Chairperson of the AFRALTI Governing Council.
The meeting includes
representatives from the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA),
Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), Eswatini Communications Commission
(ESCOM), National Communication Authority (NCA) of South Sudan, INCM of
Mozambique, POTRAZ, GAMTEL.GM of The Gambia, ARPTC Régulateur of the Democratic
Republic of Congo, the Pan African Postal Union (PAPU) and Zambia University
College of Technology, among other stakeholders.
The participating
institutions bring regulatory leadership, policy expertise, technical knowledge
and capacity-building experience to discussions on strengthening Africa’s
digital ecosystem.
AFRALTI continues to provide
a platform for member states and industry partners to exchange knowledge,
strengthen institutional capacity and develop practical responses to the
rapidly evolving needs of Africa’s digital sector.
Through collaboration and
shared learning, the institute supports stakeholders in addressing emerging
challenges while advancing more connected, secure and inclusive digital
societies.
