COFTEL Charts a Course for Success: Unveiling a Bold Strategic Plan to Drive Ambitious Objectives

The Azalaï Hotel in Cotonou hosted the 15th General Assembly of Directors General of telecommunications operators of the West African Economic Monetary Union (UEMOA), chaired by Robert Aouad, current president of COFTEL, director general of ISOCEL BENIN. The General Assembly was held following the work done by experts from operators and providers of telecommunications services from WAEMU member states.

Between September 24 and 26, 2024, experts gathered as part of the 15th meeting of the UEMOA Telecommunications Operators and Service Providers Conference (COFTEL) under the theme ”Strategic Plan: COFTEL’s new challenges. During the work which focused on developing the 2025-2030 strategic plan, the experts diagnosed COFTEL. This exercise made it possible to highlight the difficulties facing the organization and propose an action plan that could help overcome obstacles and make effective progress. It was at the end of this work that the general directors of UEMOA telecommunications operators met this Friday, September 27 for their general assembly. The strategic documents they developed were validated, including COFTEL’s Strategic Plan for 2030; review the organisation’s activity reports, measuring the progress made over the past year. They also defined priority directions to strengthen COFTEL’s visibility and impact on telecommunications policies in the UEMOA zone. According to Ibrahima Karambé, Adviser to the Office of Representatives of the UEMOA Commission in Benin, it is appropriate for COFTEL to arm itself with a compass for the coming years as the main groups of players in the digital sector. The Commission’s wish, he informs, is that the concrete measures of the said plan make it possible to achieve the objectives assigned to COFTEL by involving all its members in an inclusive manner for the influence of the electronic telecommunications sector in space.

After two years as head of COFTEL, the director general of ISOCEL BENIN is at the end of his mandate. “I am very happy because we have taken over from TOGOCOM who had done a very good job for two years. We tried to keep the same level,” said Robert Aouad. Several steps were taken under his mandate. “This year, the actions focused more on the strategy of the community space in terms of international and global issues. We are in an area where things are constantly changing and we must also listen by observing what is happening elsewhere, especially in other ECOWAS countries. confirmed the director general of ISOCEL BENIN. Many members have also joined COFTEL. The presidency of COFTEL has now been entrusted to TELECEL FASO for two years. “I wish him great success in his mission for the next two years,” added the director general of ISOCEL Benin.

Challenges to overcome

The first objective of the head of COFTEL, informs the representative of the general director of TELECEL FASO, will be to implement the Strategic Plan 2025-2030 in order to be able to revive COFTEL. It will also be a matter of making COFTEL better known. “We made the decision to communicate about the ideals of COFTEL. A newsletter will be established and distributed every six months to enable members and public administration and international organizations in the UEMOA zone to know about COFTEL and its objectives. informs Elias Djovakpo. Steps are also taken to involve COFTEL in major decision-making meetings in the telecommunications sector.

The concerted efforts of COFTEL members should make it possible to achieve ambitious objectives, while adapting to the challenges of a constantly evolving environment. The 15th General Assembly of Directors General of Telecommunications Operators benefited from the financial support of the UEMOA Commission.

About COFTEL

The Conference of Telecommunications Operators and Service Providers was created in 2007 on the initiative of the West African Economic and Monetary Union Commission. It is a consultation framework for players in the telecommunications sector and its objective is to find appropriate solutions to consumer concerns that have become increasingly demanding in terms of service quality and price. COFTEL enables stakeholders to exchange their experiences relating to organizational, operational and regulatory problems; to ensure, maintain and extend co-operation, co-ordination and unity between member operators.

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September 28, 2024 by Akpédjé Ayosso,
Ignace B. Fanou