Telecom
WATRA Executive Secretary to Moderate Key Session on Safe and Inclusive Digital Financial Services at ITU GSR 2024

Mr. Aliyu Aboki, Executive Secretary of the West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly (WATRA), will moderate the highly anticipated Session 5 on “Safe and Inclusive Digital Financial Services” during the International Telecommunications Union’s Global Symposium for Regulators (ITU GSR-4) slated for July 3rd, 2024 in Kampala, Uganda.
This session is set to provide critical insights and foster robust discussions on the regulatory frameworks essential for a secure and inclusive digital financial ecosystem.
Mr. Aboki, with his extensive experience and deep understanding of the regulatory landscape, will guide a panel of distinguished experts through a comprehensive exploration of regulatory strategies to foster a secure and inclusive digital financial ecosystem. The session will address the burgeoning complexities of crypto-asset regulation, balancing innovative fintech solutions with traditional banking norms, and ensuring consumer safety in the digital finance landscape.
The discussions will delve into pivotal questions such as how can inclusive access to digital financial services be ensured? Are current calls to regulate cryptocurrencies appropriate, and who would be affected? What measures are necessary to secure digital transactions and maintain consumer trust?
The session will feature a distinguished panel of experts who will share their perspectives and expertise. These include Mr. Mustafa Yasin Sheikh, Director General, National Communications Authority, Somalia; Mr. Jabiri Kuwe Bakari, Director General, Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA), Tanzania; Mr. James Claude, CEO, Global Voice Group; Ms. Bernadette Lewis, Secretary General, Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO) and Ms. Mei Lin Fung, Chair, People Centered Internet.
The GSR 2024 emphasizes open and frank dialogue, encouraging spontaneous and insightful exchanges rather than prepared statements.
“In an era where digital financial services are becoming the backbone of global commerce, it is crucial to address the dual imperatives of security and inclusivity. This session at GSR 2024 is not just about discussing regulatory challenges; it’s about shaping the future of digital finance to be safe, accessible, and trustworthy for all. I am eager to moderate what I believe will be a transformative discussion that paves the way for groundbreaking advancements in our industry,” says Aliyu Aboki, Executive Secretary, WATRA.
Telecom
Celebrating African Creativity: Made by Africa, Loved by the World’ Returns for Its Fifth Year

The “Made by Africa, Loved by the World” campaign is back for its fifth year, celebrating African creativity and global influence. This year’s theme, “Where Culture Meets Connection,” highlights how social media fosters conversations around cultural moments worldwide.
The campaign features three cinematic films premiering on the Meta Africa page, showcasing the groundbreaking work and personal stories of six dynamic African creatives.
These artists, from Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, and South Africa, represent diverse disciplines, including rap, animation, dance, photography, fashion, and videography.
Here are some of the featured talents:
- Ladipoe (Nigeria) – A BET-nominated rapper known for blending global hip-hop with African rhythms.
- Fatboy Animations (Kenya) – An animation studio founded by Michael Muthiga, recognized by Forbes for its original African storytelling.
- Lisa Quama (Ghana) – A dancer who gained fame after appearing in Beyoncé’s “Already” music video.
- Gilbert Asante (Ghana) – A photographer and creative director featured in GQ and Glam Africa.
- David Tlale (South Africa) – A fashion designer whose bold designs have been showcased at major fashion events, including the Met Gala.
- Ofentse Mwase (South Africa) – A filmmaker with over 24 international awards for his unique visual storytelling.
Kezia Anim-Addo, Communications Director for Africa, Middle East & Turkey, emphasized that the campaign not only celebrates individual success stories but also showcases how culture and social media drive meaningful connections and inspiration.
Telecom
Telcos Warn of Nationwide Telecom Blackout over Diesel Shortage

Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), has raised the alarm over a diesel supply crisis caused by an ongoing strike by the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG).
Mr Tony Emoekpere, president, ATCON in a statement said that the fuel supply disruption is critically affecting telecom base stations, pushing them to the brink of a shutdown and threatening millions of mobile and internet users in the region.
“This strike, which stems from the persistent harassment of tanker and petroleum product drivers by police officers in Lagos State, has effectively halted all truck loading operations and fuel movements,” Emoekpere stated.
He explained that diesel supply to telecom infrastructure has been severely impacted, leaving critical sites with dangerously low fuel levels.
According to him, if urgent measures are not taken, the situation could escalate into a full-blown network blackout, disrupting essential services, including mobile and internet access, business operations, emergency response systems, and daily communications.
ATCON has called on the governors of Lagos and Ogun states to intervene immediately by facilitating the release of diesel from depots to telecom operators to prevent further deterioration of the situation.
“This is not just a telecom issue—it is a national emergency that could cripple economic activities and compromise public safety,” Emoekpere stressed.
The association also appealed to security agencies and petroleum unions to resolve the crisis swiftly to safeguard Nigeria’s connectivity and economic stability.
ATCON emphasised that a prolonged disruption in fuel supply to telecom infrastructure could have far-reaching consequences for both businesses and individuals who rely on stable communication networks for daily operations.
Telecom
Nigerians Spend N5.3 Trillion on Telecom Services

In 2023, Nigerians spent a total of about ₦5.3 trillion on telecommunications services, which includes calls, data, SMS, and other telecom services, according to the Leadership.
Specifically for voice calls, Nigerians made approximately 408.5 billion minutes of local calls, generating around ₦3.28 trillion from outgoing calls and ₦3.23 trillion from incoming calls, totaling about ₦6.51 trillion in call-related revenue according to projections based on 2023 call volumes and tariff data.
However, the ₦5.3 trillion figure represents the overall telecom sector revenue, with voice calls being a major component but also including data and other services.
For individual spending, MTN subscribers spent an average of ₦2,508 monthly on voice calls in 2023, showing a 14.4% increase from 2022, while Airtel customers spent about ₦1,694 monthly on voice calls.
Total telecom spending (calls, data, SMS, etc.): ₦5.3 trillion in 2023
Estimated revenue from voice calls alone: around ₦6.5 trillion based on call minutes and tariffs
Average monthly spending on calls per subscriber: ₦1,694 to ₦2,508 depending on the network
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