By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
The African Union (AU) has
called for a united African voice in shaping global digital governance, as
African Heads of Delegation met on the sidelines of the ongoing International
Telecommunication Union (ITU) Plenipotentiary Conference 2026 (PP-26) in Doha,
Qatar, to coordinate the continent's strategic priorities and common positions.
The Special Africa Heads of
Delegation Session was convened by the African Telecommunications Union (ATU)
and addressed by the AU Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, H.E. Lerato
D. Mataboge.
The session provided an
important platform for African Heads of Delegation to discuss the continent's
preparations and common positions for effective participation at PP-26, with
key discussions focusing on Africa's strategic priorities and updates on the
continent's candidatures for ITU elective positions.
In her remarks, Commissioner
Mataboge extended best wishes to all African candidates standing for positions
within the ITU, expressing support and confidence in their candidatures and
wishing them every success.
She also reaffirmed the
importance of the Gabon Declaration on Africa's Road to Doha, adopted during
the Sixth Ordinary Session of the Specialised Technical Committee on
Communication and ICT (STC-CICT6), as a guiding framework for advancing
Africa's collective priorities and strengthening the continent's voice in
global digital governance.
The declaration provides a
common strategic direction for Africa's engagement at PP-26, covering
priorities such as equitable access to satellite spectrum, more resilient
undersea cable infrastructure, digital public infrastructure and artificial
intelligence governance.
The AU's Department of
Infrastructure and Energy said its work under the implementation of Agenda 2063
is focused on advancing a united African voice in shaping an inclusive,
resilient and equitable global digital future.
