The West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly (WATRA) has announced plans to create a 5G Implementation Roadmap to accelerate digital transformation across the West African sub-region. This initiative aims to guide member nations through the complexities of 5G deployment, fostering connectivity, security, and access in the region.

The announcement emerged from the inaugural meeting of WATRA’s Working Group on Infrastructure Development, hosted by The Gambia’s Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA). Themed “Enhancing Digital Transformation in West Africa: Strengthening Connectivity, Security, and Access,” the meeting centered on creating a roadmap for a phased rollout of 5G technology in West Africa.

The roadmap will be a comprehensive guide for member countries, addressing licensing procedures, spectrum costs, and challenges in 5G deployment. Despite Nigeria’s early lead with the launch of 5G networks by MTN in 2022 and Airtel in 2023, adoption rates remain low at 2.19% as of September 2024, according to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

Ghana recently joined the 5G landscape with its first network launch this month, while other West African countries are preparing for adoption.

WATRA highlighted that case studies shared during the meeting offered valuable insights into the nuances of 5G deployment, providing member states with examples of best practices and strategies for overcoming infrastructure and regulatory challenges.

Delegates also evaluated the status of 4G technology as an essential precursor to successful 5G integration, underscoring the importance of a steady transition to next-generation connectivity.

Executive Secretary of WATRA, Engr. Aliyu Aboki, praised the meeting as a landmark event in the organization’s strategic efforts, emphasizing the collective commitment to advancing telecommunications in alignment with WATRA’s 2022-2025 Strategic Plan.

“This meeting underscores our shared commitment to advancing telecommunications and achieving the strategic pillars of our 2022-2025 Strategic Plan,” Engr. Aboki stated.

He further reiterated WATRA’s dedication to fostering regional integration and development through enhanced telecommunications and ICT infrastructure.

Founded in 2002, WATRA serves as a central platform for telecommunications and ICT regulators across West Africa, working to harmonize regulatory frameworks and coordinate policies.

The organization has been instrumental in developing the West African Common Regulatory Framework for Telecommunications and ICT, which guides member states toward consistent and compatible regulatory practices across the region.

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TECH DIGEST – Engr. Aliyu Yusuf Aboki, the Nigerian candidate for the position of the Executive Secretary of West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly (WATRA), has emerged winner after voting by member countries.

Aboki’s emergence as the ES was confirmed at the WATRA’s 2021 Annual General Meeting which took place from March 10-11, 2021 in Abuja.

WATRA founded in 2002 as a consultative and collaborative body of Telecommunications Regulators in the West African sub region to aid and advance development of telecommunications in the sub region and ultimately in Africa.

WATRA collaborates and cooperates with other regional and international organisations towards the attainment of its mission to ensure the rapid development of telecommunications in the sub region

WATRA members are: NCC-Nigeria, ARCEP-Benin, ARCEP-Burkina Faso, ARME-Cape Verde, ARTCI-Cote d’Ivoire, PURA, The Gambia, NCA-Ghana, ARN-Guinea Bissau, ARPTGuinea, LTA-Liberia, AMRTP-Mali, AR-Mauritania, ARCEP-Niger, ARTPSenegal, NATCOM-Sierra Leone.

WATRA partners are: International Development organisations, Private telecoms operators, Governments, ICT equipment manufacturers, ICT equipment vendors and industry stakeholders.

In the last 17 years, Aboki has worked in the Information Communication sector and he has the lofty agenda to work with member state regulators and other stakeholders to make WATRA play a more strategic role in shaping the regulation of telecoms sector in the sub- region.

As the Executive Secretary, Aboki operate from WATRA’s office in Abuja (Nigeria) as Head of the Secretariat and the Chief Administrative Officer.

His appointment is for an initial term of Three (3) years with possibility of one further term of three (3) years in the same conditions.

He shall provide leadership and necessary recommendations actualization and implementation of WATRA strategic direction in terms of vision and mission.

He is to ensure proper functioning of the Secretariat according to the guidelines approved by the Conference of Regulators.

Specifically, the duties of Executive Secretary include:

a) To provide if needed overall logistical support and assistance to all WATRA regulation institutions;
b) Implement the strategic plan as requested by the Conference of Regulators;
c) Prepare activities programs with their action plans and annual budgets and ensure the approval by the Conference of Regulators;
d) Execute the budget in accordance with the guidelines from the General Assembly and ensure the optimal use of resources; amongst other duties.

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TECH DIGEST – The Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami and the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, are set for this year’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the West African Telecommunications Regulators Assembly (WATRA).

While Pantami will deliver the opening address at the AGM scheduled to take place from March 10-11, 2021 in Abuja, Danbatta will give the keynote at the conference.

The event provides opportunity for telecoms regulators in West Africa to take important decisions, including the adoption of activities report, programmes, budget for the Executive Secretariat, as well as the renewal of the organisation’s governing bodies.

Nigeria is fielding Mr. Aliyu Yusuf Aboki, as a candidate for the position of Executive Officer in WATRA. In the last 17 years, Aboki has worked in the Information Communication sector and he has the lofty agenda to work with member state regulators and other stakeholders to make WATRA play a more strategic role in shaping the regulation of telecoms sector in the sub- region.

Established in November 2004 with headquarters in Abuja, WATRA has become an important regional organisation within the African and global telecommunications ecosystem, with current membership consisting of independent National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs) across 16 countries including Nigeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Cote d’Ivoire. Others include, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo.

As a regional telecoms organisation, WATRA is a consultative and collaborative body of Telecommunications Regulators in the West African sub-region to aid and advance development of telecommunications in the sub region and ultimately in Africa.

The Assembly also collaborates and cooperates with other regional and international organisations towards the attainment of its mission to ensure the rapid development of telecommunications in the sub region.

The association also promotes the establishment of modern legal and regulatory structures for telecommunications and seeks the development of harmonisation of regulations for telecommunications service delivery and pricing in all countries in the sub-region.

WATRA is poised to work towards the attainment of a uniform telecommunications service standard in the sub-region and the adoption of a uniform technical quality standard for telecommunication applications and equipment employed in the sub-region.

It also initiates, encourages and supports human resource and capacity building efforts aimed at redressing the shortage of indigenous skills, competencies and capabilities in emerging information and communications technologies in the sub region.

WATRA comprises of three institutions which are : the Conference of Regulator, the Executive Committee and the Secretariat.

The Secretariat is the Administrative organ of WATRA while the Conference of Regulators is the supreme decision-making body and the main authority of WATRA.

The Conference of Regulators meets, at least, once a year in a General Assembly to define the general policy framework, set the objectives including approving the budget and receiving the report of the auditor.

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TECH DIGEST – The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta is set to deliver the keynote address at this year’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the West African Telecommunications Regulators Assembly (WATRA).

In a statement signed by Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, Director of Public Affairs at NCC, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami will deliver the opening address at the AGM scheduled to take place from March 10-11, 2021 in Abuja.

WATRA is a platform that provides opportunity for telecoms regulators in West Africa to take important decisions, including the adoption of activities report, programmes, budget for the Executive Secretariat, as well as the renewal of the organisation’s governing bodies.

Meanwhile, Nigeria is fielding Mr. Aliyu Yusuf Aboki, as a candidate for the position of Executive Officer in WATRA. In the last 17 years, Aboki has worked in the Information Communication sector and has the lofty agenda to work with member state regulators and other stakeholders to make WATRA play a more strategic role in shaping the regulation of telecoms sector in the sub- region.

Established in November 2004 with headquarters in Abuja, WATRA has become an important regional organisation within the African and global telecommunications ecosystem, with current membership consisting of independent National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs) across 16 countries including Nigeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Cote d’Ivoire. Others include, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo.

As a regional telecoms organisation, WATRA is a consultative and collaborative body of Telecommunications Regulators in the West African sub-region to aid and advance development of telecommunications in the sub region and ultimately in Africa. The Assembly also collaborates and cooperates with other regional and international organisations towards the attainment of its mission to ensure the rapid development of telecommunications in the sub region.

The association also promotes the establishment of modern legal and regulatory structures for telecommunications and seeks the development of harmonisation of regulations for telecommunications service delivery and pricing in all countries in the sub-region.

WATRA is poised to work towards the attainment of a uniform telecommunications service standard in the sub-region and the adoption of a uniform technical quality standard for telecommunication applications and equipment employed in the sub-region. It also initiates, encourages and supports human resource and capacity building efforts aimed at redressing the shortage of indigenous skills, competencies and capabilities in emerging information and communications technologies in the sub region.

WATRA comprises of three institutions namely: The Conference of Regulator, The Executive Committee and The Secretariat. The Secretariat is the Administrative organ of WATRA while The Conference of Regulators is the supreme decision-making body and the main authority of WATRA.

The Conference of Regulators meets, at least, once a year in a General Assembly to define the general policy framework, set the objectives including approving the budget and receiving the report of the auditor.

Speaking at a pre-conference meeting, the EVC NCC, Danbatta expressed optimism that this year’s annual general meeting will live up to expectations as Nigeria looks forward to clinching the top job at the regional body.

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