WATRA Appoints Aliyu Aboki to Global Submarine Cable Advisory Body

The West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly (WATRA) has announced the appointment of its Executive Secretary, Mr Aliyu Aboki, as a member of the International Advisory Body for Submarine Cable Resilience.

This body, established by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in collaboration with the International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC), aims to enhance the resilience of submarine telecommunication cables, which underpin global digital connectivity.

Aboki’s appointment provides an opportunity for the West African region to contribute to global best practices in deploying, maintaining, and protecting submarine cables.

Submarine cables handle over 95% of the world’s internet traffic, supporting vital services such as financial transactions, e-commerce, government operations, digital health, and education.

WATRA highlighted that Mr Aboki’s appointment brings extensive expertise and a valuable regional perspective to the Advisory Body’s efforts.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the Assembly noted: “His role provides an opportunity for the region to contribute significantly to shaping global best practices for the deployment, maintenance, and protection of submarine cables, ensuring a stable and resilient digital ecosystem for millions across the continent.”

Addressing Network Disruptions in West Africa

Mr Aboki’s appointment follows recent disruptions to submarine cable networks that exposed vulnerabilities in West Africa’s digital infrastructure. Speaking on his appointment, Mr Aboki remarked: “The recent disruptions to telecommunications services across West Africa, caused by damage to critical submarine cables, have highlighted the fragility of our digital infrastructure. These incidents, which impacted countries such as Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, and Liberia, led to significant connectivity challenges and underscored the urgent need for enhanced resilience in our submarine cable systems.
“This appointment offers a valuable opportunity to strengthen global collaboration and ensure West Africa’s perspectives are central to discussions on safeguarding these essential infrastructures.”

Also Read: ITU, ICPC Unveil Advisory Body for Submarine Cable Resilience

Insights on the Advisory Body

The International Advisory Body is co-chaired by Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, and Prof Sandra Maximiano, Chair of the Board of Directors of Portugal’s National Communications Authority (ANACOM).

Key details about the Advisory Body:

Comprising 40 members, including ministers, regulatory authority heads, industry executives, and senior experts in telecommunication cable operations, the body ensures diverse global representation.

Members include individuals from small island nations to major economies, reflecting the interests of communities reliant on submarine cables.

The body will meet at least twice annually to provide strategic guidance and foster collaboration on digital resilience, infrastructure development, and international policy.

Through this initiative, WATRA and its partners aim to bolster the resilience of submarine telecommunication cables and secure the digital futures of millions worldwide.

ABOKI’S PROFILE:

Aliyu Yusuf Aboki is a telecommunications engineer and policymaker with over 22 years of experience in the industry. He has worked in Nigeria, Ghana, and Indonesia with companies such as Ericsson and MTN. Aboki holds advanced degrees in Communication Engineering, Business Administration, and Artificial Intelligence from institutions including the University of Manchester, the University of Warwick, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).