The Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU), led by Secretary-General Rodney Taylor, recently embarked on a landmark visit to the Abuja Secretariat of the West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly (WATRA).
The mission to Africa which includes ATU, WATRA and CTU was funded by a grant from The Commonwealth Secretariat under the Commonwealth Connectivity Agenda for Trade and Investment (CCA) programme, and also supported by the ITU.
The grant was used by the CTU to support the development of a harmonised telecom and ICT regulatory framework for the Caribbean. The visit focused on peer-to-peer interaction, exchange of ideas, best practices and learning with the African Telecommunications Union’s regional regulatory bodies.
This high-level meeting marked a defining moment in building stronger ties between the Caribbean and West Africa, paving the way for transformative trans-regional collaboration in the telecommunications and ICT sectors.
Welcomed by WATRA’s Executive Secretary, Mr. Aliyu Aboki, the discussions centred on shared challenges, emerging opportunities and a commitment to advancing ICT and telecommunications as a driver of economic growth and social development.
Key highlights of the visit included:
Spectrum Management & Innovation: WATRA shared Nigeria’s Spectrum roadmap and its initiatives in spectrum trading and direct-to-device technology.
Policy Alignment for Regional Connectivity: Both organisations explored how bilateral agreements between operators, supported by regulators, could strengthen alignment in each region in areas such as roaming regulation.
Capacity Building & Knowledge Exchange: SG Taylor shared insights on establishing a Single ICT Space in the Caribbean, while WATRA showcased its regulatory framework for Non-Geostationary Satellite Orbit (NGSO) services, offering valuable lessons for the Caribbean.
During the meeting, the possibility of formalising collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was discussed, with a focus on creating lasting partnerships and ongoing collaborations.
The visit also included an invitation for WATRA to participate in CTU’s upcoming meetings, including the CTU ICT Regulators Forum during CTU ICT Week 2025 – Jamaica. SG Taylor committed to reporting back to Caribbean Heads of Government on the outcomes of the visit and exploring the feasibility of establishing a Caribbean regional regulatory body inspired by the WATRA model.
Reflecting on the visit, SG Taylor expressed optimism about the road ahead, saying, “This visit has opened doors for deeper collaboration. We will continue to explore opportunities for joint workshops, technical exchanges, and unified approaches that benefit both regions. The possibilities for collaborations between the Caribbean and West Africa are endless.”
As both regions move forward, this new partnership is set to redefine regulatory practices, drive innovation and foster meaningful growth in the telecommunications and ICT sector.
Together, the Caribbean and West Africa are building a connected future.
