At the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) conference in Abuja, Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima urged African nations to unite on technology policy. Represented by Deputy Chief of Staff Ibrahim Hadejia, Shettima emphasized that Africa must help create global digital rules rather than just consume foreign technology.
Key Goals for Digital Governance
Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Dr. 'Bosun Tijani, echoed the need for regional collaboration ahead of global policy summits:
- Unified Policy: Africa must present a joint strategy on AI, spectrum allocation, and cybersecurity.
- Global Influence: A united front ensures African priorities are included in international regulations.
- Infrastructure Growth: Member states aim to expand broadband access and protect cross-border data networks.
Launch of ATLAS Umoja
The conference featured the launch of ATLAS Umoja, a pan-African AI initiative. The project builds on Nigeria's N-ATLAS network to create open-source Large Language Models (LLMs) that support local African languages. By developing native AI tools, the region aims to keep data, talent, and economic value within the continent.
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