Kezias Mwale Elected ATU Secretary General in Abuja

Kezias Mwale was elected as the new Secretary General of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) during the 7th Ordinary Session of the ATU Conference of Plenipotentiaries (CPL-26) held in Abuja, Nigeria. Mwale, who is currently the ATU Director for Spectrum, secured 21 votes, defeating South Africa’s Cynthia Leungo Lesufi, who received 8 votes, and Cameroon’s Ottou Valéry Hilaire, who polled 5 votes.

In his acceptance speech, Mwale expressed gratitude to member states, the Zambian government, and President Hakainde Hichilema for their support. He emphasized his commitment to an inclusive continental digital agenda and pledged to collaborate with stakeholders to enhance telecommunications and digital technologies for socio-economic development.

The current ATU Secretary-General, John Omo, will continue to lead until Mwale officially assumes office on January 1, 2027. Additionally, the Conference transferred the Chairmanship from Algeria to Nigeria, with Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, taking over the role.