The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) held its second regional preparatory meeting for the World Radiocommunication Conference 2027 (WRC-27) in Abuja, Nigeria, from June 2 to June 4, 2025. This gathering brought together telecommunications experts, regulators, and stakeholders from ECOWAS Member States to form a unified strategy for WRC-27.
The meeting served as a platform for Member States to align their preliminary views on key agenda items for WRC-27 in collaboration with the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) and within the broader African strategy at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). This effort underscores ECOWAS’s commitment to presenting coordinated regional proposals that reflect Africa’s shared interests in global radiocommunication.
Mr. Sédiko Douka, ECOWAS Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy and Digitalization, emphasized the importance of regional unity and strategic preparation. “It is only with a voice amplified in unity that we can achieve the outcomes we desire from WRC-27,” he said. He noted that experience from WRC-23 highlighted the necessity of a structured preparatory framework for effective engagement.
Mr. Douka also addressed gender balance in radiocommunication activities. Citing ITU-R’s 2023 resolution on gender equality and inclusion, he pointed out that women currently hold only 9% of leadership roles within ECOWAS preparatory groups. “We must take concrete steps during and beyond this meeting to address this imbalance,” he urged.
Engr. Abraham Oshadami, Executive Commissioner for Technical Services at the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), opened the meeting by highlighting radiocommunications’ role in regional development. “The decisions we make now will impact the future of spectrum management, broadband deployment, satellite communications, and national security,” he stated.
Engr. Oshadami called for active participation from stakeholders across various sectors to influence outcomes that drive socio-economic progress and deepen regional integration.
At the end of the meeting, delegates are expected to adopt the ECOWAS Common Preliminary Views (ECOCOPs), which will be presented at the second Annual Preparatory Meeting of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU-APM27-2) in August 2025.