By Dr Grace Githaiga
The third and final African Preparatory Meeting for the WTSA-24 held in Sandton City, South Africa, marked a crucial step in solidifying Africa’s strategic approach for the upcoming global assembly which will take place in October 2024 in India. The WTSA is the governing body of the ITU Standardisation Sector and takes place every four years. It is one of the three world conferences of the International Telecommunication Union, with the other two being the Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R), and the Telecommunication Development Sector (ITU-D).
The meeting brought together stakeholders across the continent to address key issues and ensure Africa’s voice is united and influential at WTSA-24 through the Africa Common Position (AfCPs). For an issue to qualify as an AfCPs, it must garner the support of a minimum of 15 African countries. This gives weight to a position, although countries are sovereign and can still present their proposal(s).
KICTANet is currently participating as an observer in different standardization meetings to understand the WTSA process, which has the potential to influence debates across a variety of critical Internet Governance (IG) channels and processes. Further, its conclusions could have far-reaching implications for Internet interoperability and openness, as well as human rights.
One of the primary focus of the meeting was on closing the standardization gap to ensure equitable technological advancements across Africa. By aligning telecommunications standards, the region aims to foster cross-border interactions and enhance the interoperability of devices and systems, ultimately making digital services more affordable and accessible to consumers.
The meeting highlighted the urgent need for robust cybersecurity measures to protect Africa’s digital infrastructure, given the rising threat of cybercrime costing African economies billions annually. Additionally, the transition from IPv4 to IPv6 was emphasized, with only 1% of African networks currently IPv6-enabled compared to the global average of 29%. Addressing this issue at WTSA-24 will be vital for supporting the growing number of internet users and devices in Africa.
Combating the significant challenges of e-waste and spam was also a major discussion point. Africa is on track to generate 12.4 million metric tons of e-waste by next year, posing environmental and health risks. The meeting stressed the importance of developing robust regulatory frameworks to manage these issues sustainably.
As the terms of current chairs and vice-chairs of key ITU-T study groups are ending, Africa is focused on ensuring strong representation in global telecommunication standardization efforts. The region’s collective support for African candidates in these roles will be key to maintaining influence at the international level.
In conclusion, the meeting underscored the importance of unity and flexibility in endorsing the African Common Positions (AfCPs) for WTSA-24. By rallying behind a unified agenda, Africa aims to secure a resilient and prosperous digital future for all its nations.
For KICTANet, the focus is on supporting the Integration of human rights safeguards while preserving and promoting an open, interoperable Internet. Together with other organisations such as Paradigm Initiative and Global Partners Digital, KICTANet will continue to monitor and highlight the potential human rights consequences of ITU-T activities.
