As Africa’s premier telecommunications body prepares for a pivotal leadership transition, four candidates from across the continent are vying to shape the digital future of 52 member states.
The African Telecommunications Union’s Conference of Plenipotentiaries, set for Abuja this July, will determine who leads the organisation into a new four-year chapter, and with it, the direction of continental ICT policy at a critical moment for African connectivity.
Beyond the Secretary-General election, CPL-2026 will also see Member States elect countries to serve on the ATU Administrative Council for the 2027 to 2030 period.
The Council acts as the Union’s governing body between CPL sessions, providing oversight and strategic direction on behalf of the membership, and meets annually in ordinary session with each elected country designating a national representative as a councillor.
Africa’s five geographical sub-regions, Central, Eastern, Northern, Southern, and Western Africa, distribute the seats in alignment with the African Union groupings.
Representatives from each sub-region should reach an internal consensus on candidate countries before the vote, though members will hold a ballot if they fail to reach an agreement.
Source : https://spaceinafrica.com/2026/05/15/africas-digital-future-on-the-ballot-the-atu-secretary-general-election-2026/