Kezias Mwale of Zambia has been elected Secretary General of the African Telecommunications Union, ATU, for the 2027 to 2030 term.
As reported by NAN Mwale emerged victorious at the just concluded ATU meeting in Abuja on Friday night, polling 21 votes out of the 34 votes cast by member states. According to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, the election featured five contestants.
In his acceptance speech, Mwale expressed gratitude to ATU member states for the confidence reposed in him, describing his election as a mandate to serve the entire African continent rather than any single country.
He pledged to promote unity, impartiality, integrity, transparency and inclusive digital growth across Africa, stressing that his victory belonged to all ATU member states and Africans who believe in the transformative power of digital technology.
Mwale said Africa was at a defining moment in its digital transformation journey, with significant opportunities to harness technology for economic growth and social development.
He said his administration would work with governments, regulators, policymakers, the private sector, academia, civil society and development partners to build a stronger and more responsive ATU.
The new Secretary General identified affordable and universal connectivity, digital inclusion, cybersecurity, digital resilience, innovation, digital skills development and strengthening Africa’s voice in regional and global digital policy as key priorities of his administration.
He also assured all member states that he would serve them equally, regardless of how they voted during the election, promising to build consensus through dialogue, mutual respect and a shared commitment to the common good.
“My door will always remain open because this is a public office. I will seek to build consensus through dialogue, mutual respect and a shared commitment to the common good,” he said.
Mwale further acknowledged the contributions of his predecessors and pledged to build on their achievements while introducing reforms to strengthen the Union and respond to Africa’s evolving digital needs.
He urged African countries to remain united and work together to harness telecommunications, digital and emerging technologies to improve the lives of citizens across the continent.
The new ATU chief also commended the other contestants for contributing ideas and experience to the election, promising to work closely with them to advance the objectives of the Union.
Earlier, the outgoing Secretary General, Mr John Omo, who spoke on behalf of African ministers responsible for information and communications technology, disclosed that the ministers had adopted a declaration on meaningful connectivity for Africa.
Omo said the declaration, which formed an annex to the conference report, reflected the consensus reached on major issues affecting Africa’s digital transformation agenda.
According to him, the declaration addressed digital inclusion, demand stimulation, infrastructure development and resilience, broadband access and the adoption of a holistic approach to technology and connectivity.
Other areas covered included regulatory parity and harmonisation, capacity building, digital sovereignty, consumer rights and protection, fiscal policies and financing.
Omo said the declaration urged governments, telecommunications operators and development partners to engage transparently and encourage investments capable of expanding digital infrastructure and connectivity across Africa.
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