Côte d'Ivoire hosts final African preparatory meeting for World Telecommunication Development Conference

The third and final African Preparatory Meeting for the World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC-25) commenced in Abidjan, bringing together delegations from across the continent to consolidate Africa's position on crucial digital development matters. The meeting, organized in partnership with the African Telecommunications Union, serves as a critical platform for establishing unified African proposals ahead of the global conference scheduled for November in Baku, Azerbaijan.

During the opening ceremony, Chief of Staff Raymond Laurent Assoua, representing Minister of Digital Transition and Digitalization Kalil Konaté, outlined Africa's three priority areas for the upcoming global negotiations. These include universal connectivity and digital inclusion, cybersecurity measures to establish a secure digital environment, and the strategic use of Universal Service Funds to deploy infrastructure in remote and underserved areas.

The meeting aims to finalize common African proposals, appoint regional coordinators, and select African representatives to the WTDC Steering Committee. This coordinated approach ensures that the continent speaks with a unified voice on international platforms regarding telecommunications development and digital transformation.

Mr. Olivier Avoa, Director General of Digital Transformation, emphasized the importance of promoting innovative technology applications across key sectors including education, healthcare, agriculture, culture, and governance. His address highlighted the necessity of bringing Africa closer to its destiny as a fully digital continent through strategic collaboration and shared vision.

The event has mobilized various Ivorian digital institutions including ARTCI, AIGF, ANSUT, SNDI, ANSSI, ESATIC, EMSP, and VITIB, demonstrating comprehensive national engagement in shaping Africa's digital future. The broad participation reflects the continent's commitment to addressing both infrastructure and policy challenges in telecommunications development.

The African Telecommunications Union Secretary General Mr. John Omo acknowledged Côte d'Ivoire's leadership in hosting this significant gathering, noting the country's continued commitment to advancing Africa's digital agenda. The partnership between the Ivorian government and the continental telecommunications body underscores the collaborative spirit driving Africa's digital transformation efforts.

This preparatory meeting represents Africa's strategic approach to global digital governance, ensuring that the continent's unique challenges and opportunities are adequately represented in international telecommunications policy discussions. The outcomes from Abidjan will shape Africa's contributions to WTDC-25, where global decisions on telecommunications development will be made for the coming years.

By:  Nana Appiah Acquaye