The First African Preparatory Meeting (APM-1) for the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly 2028 (WTSA-28) was held from 13–17 April in Accra, Ghana, at The Palms by Eagles Airport City. Convened jointly by the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), alongside the ITU-T Study Groups 2 and 3 Regional Groups for Africa, the meeting brought together policymakers, regulators and technical experts to shape Africa’s strategic outlook ahead of WTSA-28.

The meeting was graced by the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Mr. Samuel Nartey George. Also in attendance were Mr. Seizo Onoe, Director of the ITU Telecommunication Standardization Bureau and Mr John Omo, Secretary-General of the ATU. The Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC) was represented by its Deputy Administrator/CEO, Mrs. Nana Akyaa Amoah-Amissah, together with two additional representatives.

Discussions were anchored on a unified continental objective: transitioning Africa from a “rule taker” to a “rule maker” in global digital standardization. Key focus areas included strengthening Africa’s voice in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and the metaverse, while leveraging standardization to address affordability, interoperability and the persistent mobile broadband usage gap.

The meeting also underscored priorities such as the adoption of a harmonised emergency number (112), the sustainability of telecommunications infrastructure amid evolving OTT dynamics and the need to enhance Africa’s technical contributions within ITU processes. Overall, APM-1 laid a strong foundation for coordinated action, regional alignment and strategic advocacy ahead of WTSA-28

Key Discussion Points

• Africa’s Strategic Shift: Moving from being a “rule taker” to a “rule maker” in global digital standardization.
• Key Focus Areas: Strengthening Africa’s voice in AI, cybersecurity, and the metaverse, while tackling affordability, interoperability, and mobile broadband gaps
• Telecom Priorities: Adoption of a harmonised emergency number (112), ensuring infrastructure sustainability amid OTT challenges, and boosting Africa’s technical input in ITU processes.