Vice President Kashim Shettima has called on African nations to unite in shaping the future of artificial intelligence (AI), telecommunications, and digital governance, warning that no country on the continent can achieve its digital ambitions alone. Speaking at the seventh Ordinary Session of the Conference of Plenipotentiaries of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) in Abuja, Shettima said Africa must present a united front in global technology discussions to ensure its interests and priorities are reflected in international policies.
Represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Ibrahim Hadejia, the Vice President stressed that stronger regional collaboration would give Africa greater influence ahead of the 2026 International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Plenipotentiary Conference. He urged member states to work together to expand affordable broadband access, strengthen cybersecurity, improve spectrum management, harmonise digital standards, and establish responsible AI governance. According to him, digital infrastructure—including broadband, cloud computing, satellite communications, and artificial intelligence—has become just as vital to economic growth as roads, railways, power, and ports.
Shettima noted that Africa must move beyond simply participating in global technology conversations and instead help shape the policies that will define the digital future. He said the continent’s digital transformation should drive economic growth, improve education and healthcare, promote financial inclusion, and create opportunities for young people and women. Reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, he highlighted ongoing investments in broadband expansion, digital public infrastructure, cybersecurity, innovation, and the development of a globally competitive technology workforce.
Also speaking at the conference, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, unveiled the expansion of Nigeria’s N-ATLAS artificial intelligence initiative into the continental ATLAS Network. The new platform will bring together African governments, researchers, universities, innovators, and technology partners to develop AI models that reflect African languages, cultures, and indigenous knowledge. Tijani noted that although Africa accounts for nearly one-third of the world’s languages, fewer than two per cent are adequately supported by modern AI systems, making the initiative critical for the continent’s digital future.
The conference also attracted strong support from international and regional leaders, including ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin, who said Africa is rapidly evolving from a technology consumer into a global innovator and standard setter. ATU Secretary-General John Omo and Nigerian Communications Commission Executive Vice Chairman Aminu Maida also called for stronger financial commitments and closer cooperation among member states. Together, the leaders agreed that a united Africa will be better positioned to influence global telecommunications policies, accelerate digital transformation, and secure a stronger voice in the rapidly evolving AI and technology landscape.
source: punch
