Kezias Mwale of Zambia has been elected as the Secretary-General of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU), pledging to lead the continental organisation with transparency and a renewed commitment to accelerating Africa’s digital transformation.
The Zambian was elected during the 7th Ordinary Session of the ATU Conference of Plenipotentiaries (CPL-26) held in Abuja, Nigeria, where delegates from member states entrusted him with the responsibility of steering Africa’s premier telecommunications and digital development body at a time of rapid technological advancement.
Engr. Mwale, who currently serves as the ATU Director for Spectrum, secured 21 votes to defeat South Africa’s Cynthia Leungo Lesufi, who received 8 votes, and Cameroon’s Ottou Valéry Hilaire, who polled 5 votes.
Delivering his acceptance speech before delegates and ministers, the Secretary General-Elect expressed gratitude to member states, the Zambian government, and President Hakainde Hichilema for their support.
He also paid tribute to his fellow candidates and reaffirmed his commitment to an inclusive continental digital agenda.
“As an African proverb reminds us, if you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, go together. Today’s election has produced one Secretary General, but our shared commitment remains one.
“This victory is not mine alone, nor does it belong to any one nation. It belongs to every member state represented here today and to every African who believes in the transformative power of digital technologies to improve lives and create opportunities for our people,” he said.
Outlining his vision for the ATU, Mwale pledged to work closely with all stakeholders.
“I will work and serve closely with governments, regulators, policymakers, the private sector, academia, and civil society, development partners, and other stakeholders to build a stronger, more responsive, and forward-looking ATU.
“Together, we will strive to expand affordable and universal connectivity, promote digital inclusion, strengthen cybersecurity and digital resilience, foster innovation, develop digital skills, and amplify our voice in regional and global digital policy diplomacy. I firmly believe that our diversity is our strength.”
He urged African nations to work together to harness telecommunications, digital technologies and emerging innovations to improve livelihoods and accelerate socio-economic development.
Until the formal transition, the current ATU Secretary-General, John Omo, will continue to lead the General Secretariat and oversee the implementation of the Union’s programmes while supporting administrative arrangements for the incoming Secretary-General, who will officially assume office on January 1, 2027.
The Conference also transferred the Chairmanship of the Conference of Plenipotentiaries from Algeria to Nigeria.
Member States thanked Algeria for its stewardship since the Sixth Ordinary Session in Algiers in 2022, and welcomed Nigeria to the Chairmanship for the next institutional cycle.
Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, assumed the Chairmanship on behalf of the country.
Meanwhile, the Conference elected 25 Member States to serve on the Administrative Council for the forthcoming four-year period.
West Africa will be represented by Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal and Togo; North Africa by Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia; Southern Africa by Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe; Eastern Africa by Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda; and Central Africa by Burundi, Cameroon, Chad, the Republic of the Congo and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Abuja Ministerial Declaration
The conference also adopted the Abuja Ministerial Declaration on Meaningful Connectivity for Africa; a policy framework aimed at accelerating universal and affordable digital access across the continent.
The adoption of the Abuja Ministerial Declaration and the election of a new ATU Secretary-General are expected to provide renewed momentum for Africa’s efforts to expand digital access, strengthen regional cooperation, and fully harness emerging technologies for inclusive and sustainable development.
