Telecommunications regulators in Africa are seeking to implement a singular emergency number for the entire continent. Members of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) deliberated this proposal in Nairobi, Kenya, in preparation for the World Telecommunications Standardisation Assembly (WTDC) happening in India in October 2024.
Over 200 industry leaders from across Africa focused on formulating a united stance for the continent’s interests at the WTDC.
This proposed unified emergency number would be used in potentially life-threatening situations like floods. ATU Secretary General John Omo asserts that such a common emergency telecommunications number is necessary for African countries to collaboratively respond to disasters.
Individual African nations currently have domestic emergency numbers that citizens can dial in critical situations. These calls are typically directed to either police or adjacent services. The proposed unified number would act as an international emergency dial supplementing existing national emergency numbers in multiple African countries.
The ATU’s intention behind this development is to enable an effective reaction to emergencies and a quick response time during crises across Africa. Regulators are urging Member States to ponder this proposal, taking into account the relevant recommendations of the International Telecommunication Union.
Numerous African governments have upgraded their telecommunications infrastructure through partnerships and privatization of state-owned enterprises. With over 82 million mobile users, telecommunication usage within Africa has seen significant growth over time.
The burgeoning smartphone market in Africa, which is projected to generate a revenue of $41.4 billion by 2024, exhibits the escalating use of mobile phones on the continent. The market is predicted to grow at an annual rate of 6.87% from 2024 through 2028.
Telecommunication companies in Africa are also experiencing swift expansion, with leading players including MTN, Vodacom, Safaricom, Airtel Africa, Ethio Telecom, Orange Egypt, and Telkom.
Meanwhile, providers and states are ramping up the installation of subsea cables, noted for their high capacity and ability to transmit large data volumes at high velocities, to boost telecommunications signals.
