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Says 1bn Africans still without mobile internet
The Federal Government has called on African countries to strengthen collaboration to bridge the continent’s telecommunications gap, warning that nearly one billion Africans are still without access to mobile internet.
Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, Nadungu Gagare, made the call on Thursday in Abuja at the 7th Special Session of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) Administrative Council.
Represented by a Director in his office, Ahmed Alsukun, Gagare said regional cooperation remained critical to building a strong, inclusive and innovative digital economy capable of unlocking opportunities for Africa’s rapidly growing youth population.
He stressed that no single country could achieve the continent’s digital aspirations alone, urging member states to work together to expand connectivity, improve digital infrastructure, promote digital skills, strengthen cybersecurity and enhance data protection.
“We believe that regional co-operation is essential if Africa is to build a strong, inclusive and innovative digital economy to empower our growing youth population.
“Working together, we can expand connectivity, improve digital infrastructure, promote skills, strengthen cyber security, protect data and create opportunities for our people,” he said.
According to him, a united Africa would wield greater influence in global digital policy discussions and be better positioned to protect the continent’s collective interests.
Also speaking, Chairperson of the ATU Administrative Council and Director-General of South Africa’s communications department, Nonkqubela Jordan-Dyani, urged African countries to make building economic resilience through Information and Communication Technology (ICT) a deliberate regional strategy.
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She emphasised the importance of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), describing digital identity and electronic payment systems as critical tools for enabling secure interactions and accelerating regional integration.
Jordan-Dyani said member states must remain committed to strengthening the ATU to shape Africa’s digital future and drive sustainable development across the continent.
She commended Nigeria for its leadership in implementing digital public systems, noting that developing countries must prioritise public digital services that deliver maximum value to citizens.
Earlier, Secretary-General of the ATU, John Omo, said the special session was a key statutory step in preparations for the union’s forthcoming conference.
According to him, the organisation can only exercise its mandate effectively when proposals submitted by member states are legally sound, credible and fully implemented.
“The progress recorded during this period has been made possible through collective effort, and we now have the sole responsibility to bring this work to a conclusion,” Omo said.
The meeting brought together telecommunications regulators, policymakers and government officials from across Africa to review the union’s activities, consider institutional reforms and harmonise strategies aimed at accelerating the continent’s digital transformation before they are formally adopted.
