By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
The African Union (AU) and
Zimbabwe have reaffirmed the importance of Africa’s coordinated participation
at the 2026 International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Plenipotentiary
Conference (PP-26), with a focus on ensuring the continent engages as one and
speaks with one voice in the ITU elections.
The discussions took place
during a bilateral engagement between AU Commissioner for Infrastructure and
Energy, H.E. Lerato D. Mataboge, and Zimbabwe’s Minister of Information,
Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services, Hon. Tatenda Mavetera,
on the margins of the conference in Doha, Qatar.
The engagement focused on
Africa’s coordinated participation at PP-26, guided by the Gabon Declaration
adopted at the Sixth Ordinary Session of the African Union Specialised
Technical Committee on Communication and ICT (STC-CICT6).
The declaration provides a
framework for strengthening the continent’s collective engagement and ensuring
a unified African voice in the ITU elections.
Discussions also centred on
promoting an inclusive digital future, continental solidarity and Africa’s
collective commitment to shaping global digital governance.
The AU Commission’s
Department of Infrastructure and Energy said it works with Member States in
implementing Agenda 2063 to ensure that Africa’s voice, priorities and
aspirations are represented on the global stage.
