By: Kanto
Kai Okanta
The Secretary-General of the
Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO), Bernadette Lewis, has
underscored the importance of strong regulatory frameworks and capacity
building in enabling effective digital transformation across Commonwealth member
states.
She made the remarks while
participating as a panellist at the Mozambique National Communications
Conference held in Maputo, where she contributed to a session focused on “The
Role of Regulatory Authorities in the Era of Digital Transformation.” The discussion
brought together policymakers, regulators and industry stakeholders to examine
how regulatory institutions can adapt to rapid technological change while
ensuring inclusive and secure digital growth.
Lewis outlined the CTO’s
ongoing initiatives aimed at strengthening digital ecosystems across member
countries through technical assistance, knowledge exchange and strategic
partnerships. She highlighted the organisation’s satellite capacity-building
workshops, which are designed to equip regulators, policymakers and industry
actors with the skills required to respond to developments in satellite
communications and broader connectivity infrastructure.
According to her, the
programme has already commenced in Kenya, hosted by the Communications
Authority of Kenya, with additional sessions planned for regions including the
Pacific, the Caribbean and Southern Africa. Countries such as Tuvalu and Samoa
are expected to benefit from the initiative as part of broader efforts to
expand access to modern communications technologies and improve digital
infrastructure.
Lewis also referenced the
CTO’s Capacity Building Programme for a Coherent Legal and Regulatory Framework
for Digital Transformation, a flagship initiative aimed at supporting member
states in developing modern and adaptive regulatory systems. The programme,
which is expected to be rolled out to members by mid-2027, is intended to
provide practical guidance to help countries navigate emerging policy and
regulatory challenges associated with digital transformation.
She stressed that regulators
have a central role in balancing innovation with safeguards that ensure digital
transformation remains secure, inclusive and beneficial to citizens.
Collaboration between governments, regulators, the private sector and development
partners, she noted, will be critical in unlocking the full potential of the
digital economy.
Following the conference,
the CTO is scheduled to host its Digital Development Day on 24 June 2026,
bringing together a wide range of stakeholders to explore practical strategies
for accelerating digital development and strengthening digital resilience.
The event forms part of the
organisation’s ongoing 125th anniversary commemorations, marking more than a
century of work in advancing global communications, connectivity and digital
cooperation across the Commonwealth.
