Online Reporter
Ivan Zhakata
Herald Correspondent
Zimbabwe has called for the establishment of an African Telecommunications union (ATU) working group on regulatory intelligence to strengthen coordination among telecommunications regulators and improve the continent’s response to rapid technological changes.
The proposal was made by Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) Director-General Dr Gift Machengete during the Heads of Regulatory Authorities Meeting at the ATU Plenipotentiary Conference in Abuja, Nigeria.
Dr Machengete said the proposed working group should develop guidelines for harnessing regulatory intelligence at national, regional and international levels.
“My question to the Secretary-General is whether the ATU is considering establishing a working group to develop guidelines on harnessing Regulatory Intelligence at the national, regional and international levels,” he said.
“Such a platform would enable us to collaborate more effectively.”
Dr Machengete said African regulators needed to strengthen collaboration as the telecommunications and digital sectors continued to evolve rapidly.
“What we are discussing here is not new to us as regulators. What is new, however, is how we intend to respond to it through stronger collaboration among African regulators,” he said.
Dr Machengete said while African regulators participated in global discussions on emerging technologies and regulation, the continent required a framework that addressed its specific challenges and priorities.
“The issues we are discussing are similar to those raised at the Global Symposium for Regulators, but those discussions are global in nature,” he said.
“We need an African-focused framework that addresses our unique challenges and priorities.”
Dr Machengete also called for the establishment of a platform where regulators could regularly exchange ideas, share best practices and strengthen regulatory cooperation across the continent.
“Can we establish a platform where African regulators can regularly share ideas, exchange best practices and work together to advance regulatory excellence across the continent?” he said.
The proposed framework is expected to promote evidence-based regulation and improve the exchange of regulatory knowledge as African countries respond to developments in artificial intelligence, data governance, cybersecurity, digital platforms and cross-border communications services.
The proposal comes as African regulators seek to strengthen cooperation in regulating an increasingly interconnected digital economy, with the issue now forming part of broader ATU discussions on regional cooperation, spectrum management, digital infrastructure and connectivity.
