In collaboration with the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) and taking place as part of the 2nd African Preparatory Meeting for WRC-27, the 10th Sub-Sahara Spectrum Management Conference was successfully organised by Forum Global and kindly hosted by the Communications Authority of Kenya, with additional support from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

 

The conference brought together policymakers, industry leaders, and experts to address critical spectrum management issues shaping the telecommunications landscape in the region. Key discussions focused on 5G harmonisation, innovative licensing approaches, and aligning outcomes with the AMP27-2 and WC-27 strategies.

 

Keynote Presentations

Opening the conference were keynote presentations from John Omo (ATU), and Ilham Ghazi (ITU) who introduced the discussions of Africa’s digital future ahead of AMP27-2.

 

Session 1: From Agreement to Action: Charting Africa’s Path and Progress Post WRC-23

Session 1 examined the progress in Sub-Saharan Africa two years after WRC-23, as countries move from international decisions to national policy and regulatory action. Panellists discussed implementation at both national and regional levels, focusing on the upper 6GHz and 600 MHz bands, and the differing approaches being taken across Africa compared to other regions. The role of the ATU in supporting regional coordination and fostering a harmonised approach was highlighted, alongside the flexibility offered by WRC-23 footnotes to accommodate national priorities within a coherent regional framework.

 

Session 2: Striking a balance in the 3.8 - 4.2 GHz Band: Evolving Models and Emerging Opportunities

Session 2 focused on the evolving role of the 3.8 - 4.2 GHz C-band in Sub-Saharan Africa, a spectrum range that remains essential for fixed satellite services (FSS) but is increasingly under pressure from growing demand for mobile broadband, enterprise networks, and new digital services. Panellists discussed the opportunities and challenges of introducing new uses while safeguarding vital satellite operations, examining the regulatory, technical, and market factors influencing the band’s future.

 

Session 3: Advancing towards a harmonised 5G strategy across Sub-Saharan Africa

This panel continued the conference’s ongoing annual examination of 5G progress in Sub-Saharan Africa, moving from planning to implementation as more countries roll out networks. Drawing on insights from the 2025 ATU-R report '5G Preparedness and Relevant Use Cases in Africa', panellists discussed how spectrum availability, infrastructure gaps, and lack of harmonisation remain significant barriers, despite over half of African countries having completed regulatory preparations. The session explored lessons from early adopters, strategies for spectrum harmonisation, and approaches to overcoming rollout challenges, with emphasis on aligning national efforts with a unified regional strategy to ensure 5G delivers economic growth and inclusive development.

 

Session 4: Bridging the Gap - Leveraging Spectrum Policy & Technological Advances to Tackle the Digital Divide in Sub-Saharan Africa

Session 4 examined the urgent challenge of closing the digital divide in Sub-Saharan Africa, where more than 60% of the population remained unconnected in 2024. Panellists discussed how spectrum policy and management can be leveraged to expand affordable, wide-area coverage, particularly through low and mid-band frequencies, to underserved and unserved communities. The session highlighted collaboration between regulators, policymakers, operators, and innovators, drawing on regional and international best practices, as well as innovative technologies and licensing models driving rural connectivity. Attention was also given to aligning spectrum strategies with universal access goals, investment incentives, and infrastructure-sharing frameworks to accelerate inclusive digital growth.

 

Session 5: Direct-to-Device (D2D) Communication – What path forward to maximise the value for Africa?

The penultimate discussion explored the emergence of Direct-to-Device (D2D) connectivity as it shifts from concept to deployment, highlighting its potential to transform Africa’s connectivity landscape. Panellists examined two distinct approaches, leveraging Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) spectrum and adapting International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) bands, each carrying specific regulatory, technical, and coexistence considerations. The discussion addressed spectrum management, regional harmonisation, and protection of incumbent services, with an eye on evolving global frameworks and the upcoming WRC-27. Early trial results, policy implications, and strategic choices for shaping Africa’s influence in the global D2D ecosystem were key themes, positioning D2D as a significant enabler of future digital inclusion.

 

Session 6: Bringing it all together – Towards APM27-2 and broader strategies for WRC-27

Finally, Session 6 served as a bridge to the 2nd ATU Regional Preparatory Meeting for WRC-27 (APM27-2), which took place immediately after the conference (from 12-15 August). Building on discussions from earlier sessions, panellists outlined priorities, objectives, and strategies for Africa’s engagement in WRC-27, offering early insights into emerging regional positions on key agenda items. The conversation examined trends, anticipated challenges, and opportunities for stronger coordination, aiming to shape a cohesive African strategy that can secure a successful outcome at WRC-27.

 

Missed the event? Check out what some of our speakers and delegates had to say about the discussions:

 

Thank You to Our Partners

 

A special thank you to the event hosts, Communications Authority Kenya, as well as supporting partners, ATU and ITU, and to all our event sponsors, for their invaluable support and collaboration in making this conference a success.

What’s next?

 

The Global Spectrum Series hosts connectivity conferences across 7 regions globally. Explore the coming events confirmed for 2025!

 

14th Americas Spectrum Management Conference

🗓️ 30 - 31 October |📍 Washington, D.C., USA

 

12th Latin America Spectrum Management Conference

🗓️ 12 - 13th November | 📍 Buenos Aires, Argentina   

 

Find out more about the series, by visiting the Global Spectrum Series website or by signing up to our newsletter.