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Brief history Founded in 1977
as a specialised agency of the Organisation of African Unity, now
African Union, in the field of telecommunications. The African
Telecommunications Union (ATU) took its present name in 1999. This
led to the transformation of the agency into a partnership between
public and private stakeholders in the information and communication
technology (ICT) sector.
ATU provides a forum for stakeholders involved in ICT to
formulate effective policies and strategies aimed at improving
access to information infrastructure and services. In addition, the
Union represents the interests of its members at global
decision-making conferences and promotes initiatives aimed at
integrating regional markets, attracting investment into ICT
infrastructure, and building institutional and human capacity.
Why we exist
The mission of the Union is to promote the rapid development of
info-communications in Africa in order to achieve universal access,
and full inter-country connectivity.
The Union envisions an Africa that is empowered as a full and
active participant in the global information and knowledge society.
Organisational values
Like other viable, healthy organisations, ATU is imbued with its
own set of values that collectively describe the culture of the
organisation. For ATU, those values include…
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Providing visionary
leadership and supportive team-work structures
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Developing human and
intellectual capital
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Fostering collaborative
partnerships in ICT research and development
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Ensuring a high level
of integrity, transparency and accountability
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Guaranteeing quality
and excellence in service to all stakeholders
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Encouraging a strong
bias for action and effectiveness
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Advocating for the
development of information and knowledge society in Africa
These values help us set priorities and guide the decisions
needed to achieve our vision.
Membership…
ATU currently has 46 Member States and 16 Associate Members
(comprising fixed and mobile telecom operators). Membership is
still open to the remaining seven Potential Member States and a host
of Associate Members (telecom operators - fixed and mobile,
broadcasters, internet service providers, ICT manufacturers, and ICT
training institutions). |