African telecommunications ministers and digital economy leaders gathered in Nigeria’s capital on July 24, 2026, to formally adopt the 2026 Abuja Declaration on Meaningful Connectivity for Africa, establishing a unified policy framework to expand high-speed internet access, lower smartphone costs, and drive cross-border digital investments.
The historic agreement coincided with Nigeria officially taking over the chairmanship of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) Conference of Plenipotentiaries from Algeria for the 2026–2030 cycle. The handover took place during the closing ceremony of the 7th Ordinary Session (CPL-26) at the International Conference Centre in Abuja, led by Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani.
The newly signed Abuja Declaration commits 52 African member states to key regulatory and infrastructure targets, such as the Technology-Neutral Frameworks which involves opening national regulatory policies to allow fibre, mobile broadband, and satellite networks to compete and co-exist, accelerating access in remote and rural communities.
Other major target will include Spectrum and Fibre Expansion, Cybersecurity & Global advocacy; Streamlining cross-border infrastructure to boost continental broadband capacity and lower data delivery costs and align continental cyber-defense policies and formulating a unified African position ahead of the 2026 International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Plenipotentiary Conference in Doha.
The new declaration is also committed to addressing the usage gap. Targeted interventions aimed at reducing hardware tariffs to make smartphones affordable, alongside expanding digital literacy programs for women, youth, and underserved populations.
”This conference was conducted in the spirit of Ubuntu—that we are one Africa pursuing the same destination,” stated Hon. Felix C. Mutati, Zambia’s Minister of Technology and Science, while delivering remarks on behalf of delegates.
Accepting the chairmanship on behalf of Nigeria, Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani emphasized that regional collaboration remains essential to realizing the declaration’s goals;
”Every decision and every compromise has reflected a shared belief that Africa’s digital future is stronger when we work together,” Tijani said. “The resolutions adopted over these past days will only achieve their intended impact if we maintain mutual trust and purpose to ensure every African benefits from the digital economy.”
During the session, member states also elected Engr. Kezias Kazuba Mwale of Zambia as the incoming ATU Secretary-General to succeed outgoing Secretary-General John Omo. Additionally, 25 member states were appointed to the ATU Administrative Council to oversee the implementation of the strategic roadmap over the next four years.
