By Mercy Adi
The African Telecommunications Union (ATU) on Friday elected Zambia’s Engr. Kezias Kazuba Mwale as its Secretary-General for the 2027–2031 cycle.
Mwale will assume office on January 1, 2027, for a four-year term in line with the union’s constitution.
He was elected at the 7th Ordinary Session of the ATU Conference of Plenipotentiaries (CPL-26) held in Abuja and presided over by the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani.
Mwale emerged after a fourth round of voting, where a simple majority rule was adopted following a deadlock in the first three rounds.
He defeated Banzouzi Luc Missidimbazi (Congo), Bayouli Fasal (Tunisia), Lesufi Cynthia (South Africa), and Valery Hilaire Otou (Cameroon).
Otou scored five votes, Cynthia polled eight, while Mwale secured 21 votes to clinch the position.
He will succeed Kenya’s John Omo, who is completing his second term in office.
In his acceptance speech, Mwale pledged to lead the union with “integrity, transparency and dedication,” and to work with stakeholders to strengthen Africa’s digital ecosystem.
“This victory belongs to all member states and every African who believes in the power of digital technologies to transform lives,” he said.
Earlier, stakeholders at the conference called for a united African position ahead of the International Telecommunication Union elections scheduled for November 2026.
The Executive Vice-Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Dr. Aminu Maida, urged regulators across the continent to deepen collaboration and present a common front.
“Africa must speak with one voice,” he said.
Meanwhile, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Mali, Ghana, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire and Togo were elected into the ATU Administrative Council for West Africa.
In his remarks, the outgoing Secretary-General, Omo, thanked member states for their support and wished Mwale success in office.