Where the worldwide
spectrum community meets

11th Asia Pacific Spectrum Management Conference

Event Overview

The Sub-Sahara Spectrum Conference has expanded its scope to become the Africa Spectrum Management Conference.

In line with the wider geographical reach of our event partner, ATU, we are pleased to broaden the event’s focus beyond Sub-Saharan Africa to include North Africa, creating a truly pan-African platform. 

This year’s event, on 7 September, will be hosted by ANF, incorporating their Spectrum and Technology Trends Forum. It will be held as part of the 3rd African Preparatory Meeting for WRC-27, which will take place from 8-11 September.

Attendees will have the opportunity to be involved in discussions on the key spectrum topics for the Africa region and beyond.

This event is part of The Global Spectrum Series, the world’s largest collection of regional spectrum policy conferences. Click on the images on the right to find out more about the series and to view the highlights from 2025.

Key Themes

WRC-27: Preparing for the final stretch
Satellite, NTNs & D2D: Licensing & Coexistence
Making Mid-Band Work: Delivering Connectivity & Growth
Spectrum Pricing, Licensing and Coverage
Where Next? Towards 6G and NextGen Connectivity
Spectrum for Public Good: Maximising Social & Economic Value

Organisers & Partners

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Incorporating

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In partnership with

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Hosted by

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Platinum Partners

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Gold Partners

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Audio Partners

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Knowledge Partners

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Gold Partners

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Silver Partners

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Confirmed Speakers Include

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Ben Ba

Head of Terrestrial Publication & Registration Division, BR
ITU

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Olfa Jammeli

General Director
ANF Tunisia

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Eric Fournier

Director for Spectrum Planning and International Affairs
ANFR France

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Dr. Charley Lewis

Councillor
Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA)

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Ronel le Grange

Technical Advisor to the CEO
Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN)

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Charles Cooper

Associate Administrator, Office of Spectrum Management
NTIA

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Dr. Mohamed El-Moghazi

Executive Director of International Spectrum Affairs
National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA) Egypt

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Mandialy Bodian

Head of Spectrum Management
ARTP Senegal

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Ramlah Hussein

Manager of Spectrum Planning and Authorisation
Uganda Communications Commission (UCC)

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Gababo Wako

Assistant Director, Frequency Monitoring and Compliance
CA Kenya

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Elizabeth Migwalla

Vice President International Government Affairs Qualcomm

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Peng Zhao

Vice-President of Policy & Regulatory
GSOA

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Bienvenu Agbokponto Soglo

Director, Spectrum Management
GSMA

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Eiman Mohyeldin

Global Head of Spectrum Standardization
Nokia

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Nada Abdelhafez

Head of Spectrum & Regulatory Affairs
Shure

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Daniel Batty

Regulatory Advisor
Newsky.plus

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Ferran Font

Spectrum Policy Analyst
GSMA

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Andreas Wilzeck

Member of the Board
DECT Forum

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Ethan Mudavanhu

Senior Regulatory Affairs Specialist for Africa and the Middle East
Sateliot

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Joe Frans

Independent African Broadcasting Policy Advisor & Entrepreneur
(on behalf of Sennheiser)

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Mostafa Mousa

Lead, Licensing & Regulatory Affairs, EMEA, Project Leo
Amazon

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Bashir Gwandu

Independent Spectrum Expert

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David Mugonyi

Director General & CEO Communications Authority of Kenya
CA Kenya

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Ilham Ghazi

Head, Broadcasting Services Division, Radiocommunications Bureau
ITU

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Emilia Nghikembua

CEO
CRAN Namibia

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Kezias Mwale

Director, Radiocommunications African Telecommunications Union

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Basebi Moisinyi

Deputy Director Spectrum Management
BOCRA Botswana

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El Hadjar Abdouramane

Chair
ATU WRC-27 Working Group on Aeronautical and Radiolocation Services

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Peter Djakwah

Manager, Engineering
NCA Ghana

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Lucy Nyakwera

Telecommunications Engineer
UCC Uganda

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Martins Langa

Executive Director, Engineering and Inspection Division,
INCM, Mozambique

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Alex Kühn

Head of Section, International & National Spectrum Management
BNetzA Germany

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Peter Zimri

Former ICASA Councillor
Access Partnership

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Joe Frans

AUB Expert
Broadcast Networks Europe

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Pierre-Frédéric Siaud

Regulatory Affairs Associate, Africa and Middle East
Sateliot

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Kevin Eisenhauer

Senior Principal Regulatory Engineer
SES

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Shiv Bakhshi

Vice President, Industry Relations
Ericsson

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Linden Petzer

Senior Consultant for Africa
GSOA

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Caroline Mbugua

Senior Director, Public Policy & Communications
GSMA, Africa

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Raymond Bouwman

Consultant
Coleago Consulting

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Saul Friedner

Director, Spectrum Services and Business Development
LS telcom

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Andy Hudson

CEO, Spectrivity

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John Omo

Secretary General African Telecommunications Union (ATU)

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Jonathan Wall

Partner
Aetha Consulting

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Nikolai Vassiliev

Chief of Terrestrial Services Department ITU

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Ntombiza Sithole

Councillor ICASA

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Dut Acol De Dut

Director of Spectrum Management National Communication Authority, South Sudan

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Kezias Mwale

Technical Coordinator African Telecommunications Union (ATU)

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Andrew Changa

Liaison Manager, ICT, East African Communications Organisation (EACO)

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Dennis Sonoiya

Principal Officer / Data Management CA Kenya

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Luc Lukomba

Head of Frequency Assignment Department ARPTC, DRC

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Ahmed Boraud

Director, Radiocommunications ARCEP Niger

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Jean-Pierre Faisan

Chair, Communications Working Group Broadcast Networks Europe

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Graham Friend

Co-founder and Managing Director Coleago Consulting

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Cesar Gutierrez Miguelez

Head of Africa Regulatory Policy Huawei

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Kamal Tamawa

Director, Spectrum & Industry Services, Sub-Saharan Africa GSMA

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Hazem Moakkit

Vice President, Spectrum Strategy Intelsat

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Helen Kyeyune

Lead, Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, EMEA Amazon Project Kuiper

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Ivan Suarez

Director, Regulatory and Policy Newsky.plus

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Rihab Rabbaj

Business Research Analyst Cullen International

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Mortimer Hope

Associate Director and Africa Lead Policy Impact Partners

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Judicaël Vivien Monde

CTO/HoT Mobile Networks, North & West Africa Nokia

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Ali Cheema

Director Spectrum Regulations Ericsson

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Guillaume Mascot

Senior Manager, Global Regulatory Policy Shure

Dr. Ir. Ismail MT

Director General of Resources Management and Equipment of Posts and Informatics
Ministry of Communication and Informatics, Indonesia

Masanori Kondo

Secretary General
APT

Kyu-Jin Wee

Chairman
APT preparatory group for WRC-23 (APG)

You can view the agenda in your preferred time zone by selecting it from the list below.
Event Day
2026-09-07
09:00 - 09:30
Keynote Presentations
09:30 - 10:30
Session 1: WRC-27: Preparing for the final stretch | Panel Discussion

The next ATU WRC Preparatory Meeting (APM27-3) is set to take place immediately following the conclusion of this event, with key discussions set to further shape Africa’s emerging position as we enter the last year and final stretch towards WRC-27. This session sets the stage for this, examining where administrations and countries currently stand on the key agenda items, what consensus has been reached through the preparatory process so far, and what challenges still remain. As we head into APM27-3 and the final buildup to WRC-27 starts to build pace, what should be the priorities for stakeholders in order to deliver the best final outcomes for Africa?

 

  • Which WRC-27 agenda items are of highest strategic importance for African administrations, and how aligned is the region on these priorities? Which agenda items are proving most challenging for Africa in terms of achieving a coordinated position?
  • How can it be ensured that regional positions find the right position in balancing connectivity, economic development, and spectrum access for emerging technologies?
  • Looking shorter term, what should be the immediate goals and objectives for the APM27-3 meeting happening this week?
  • On which topics and agenda items does Africa have the greatest opportunity to shape the global outcomes at WRC-27? What concrete steps are needed to maximise that influence and ensure African priorities are heard and reflected in final decisions?
  • What are the critical milestones over the next 12 months that African administrations and industry stakeholders should be preparing for in order to help deliver a strong and unified African position at WRC-27?
  • What unresolved issues are likely to dominate the final phase of preparations leading into WRC-27?
10:30 - 10:50
Refreshment Break
10:50 - 11:50
Session 2: Making Mid-Band Work: Delivering Connectivity and Growth | Panel Discussion

Mid-band spectrum is central to Africa’s digital future, offering the balance of coverage, capacity and affordability needed to support expanding mobile broadband, 5G deployment, industrial connectivity and broader digital transformation and future connectivity ambitions. Yet across the continent, progress on assigning and harmonising key bands such as 2.3GHz, 2.6 GHz, 3.5 GHz and 4.8GHz remains uneven, with administrations facing difficult questions around pricing, licensing models, coexistence, investment incentives and long-term spectrum roadmaps. This session will map the current state of play in mid-band frequencies across the continent, examining the progress in allocation of bands in different countries, and the extent to which this has translated into network rollout. 

 

  • How far have African countries progressed in assigning key mid-band frequencies, and to what extent has this translated into real network deployment and improved connectivity outcomes?
  • What are the main factors driving differences in spectrum strategy and rollout progress across African markets, and where are the most successful approaches emerging?
  • How important is regional harmonisation in maximising the value of mid-band spectrum across Africa, and what are the risks if approaches to key bands continue to diverge?
  • As demand for connectivity grows, how should policymakers approach competing priorities in key mid band frequencies, including mobile broadband, satellite, Wi-Fi and future industrial use cases?
  • How is the discussion around spectrum above 3.8 GHz evolving globally, and what implications could this have for Africa’s long-term mid-band strategy?
  • Looking ahead, what should a long-term African mid-band spectrum roadmap look like to ensure the right balance is struck between mobile, Wi-Fi, satellite and other emerging technologies, while supporting the continent’s future connectivity and digital transformation ambitions?
11:50 - 12:30
Session 3: Getting the Policy Framework Right – Spectrum Pricing, Licensing and Coverage | Fireside Chat

Spectrum policy decisions can have a profound impact on the pace and success of network deployment. From spectrum pricing and licence design to coverage obligations and rollout requirements, policymakers must balance a range of competing objectives, including connectivity, investment, competition and public revenue. This session will explore how African regulators and governments can design policy frameworks that encourage investment, support sustainable network deployment and maximise the socio-economic benefits of spectrum.

 

  • What examples of best practice on spectrum pricing, awards and licence design have been seen in Africa and internationally? What lessons can be taken from these? 
  • How can regulators strike the right balance between maximising public revenue and creating the conditions for long-term network investment and expansion?
  • How useful are coverage obligations in driving connectivity to underserved areas? What examples of success have emerged globally, and how can they be structured to maximise coverage while supporting sustainable investment? 
  • How important is regional coordination and harmonisation in creating predictable investment environments and supporting efficient spectrum use?
  • As connectivity demands continue to evolve, how should licensing frameworks adapt to support future technologies and changing market needs?
12:30 - 13:25
Lunch
13:25 - 14:25
Session 4: Space, Satellite & D2D: Licensing, Coexistence and the New Connectivity Frontier | Panel Discussion

Direct-to-device services and rapidly scaling NGSO constellations are reshaping what satellite connectivity means for Africa, while at the same time creating growing regulatory and policy challenges for administrations seeking to ensure existing frameworks remain fit for purpose. This session brings together two critical and connected conversations: how to build licensing and spectrum frameworks that can actually support D2D and multi-orbit satellite services in practice; and how to manage coexistence between NGSO mega-constellations, incumbent GSO systems, and terrestrial mobile networks as complexity grows. For a continent where D2D could be transformative in reaching unconnected rural populations, getting the regulatory architecture right is urgent. This session will look at both the challenges and the opportunities as administrations look to find the best path to deliver frameworks that are fit for purpose, forward-looking, and built around the connectivity needs and ambitions of their nations and the region as a whole.

 

  • How are licensing and authorisation models evolving in response to the growth of D2D and multi-orbit satellite services (e.g. national licensing, market access, gateway authorisations), and are current approaches fit for purpose?
  • What practical regulatory models are emerging globally for authorising D2D services, and which approaches may be most relevant or adaptable for African administrations?
  • As operators deploy hybrid and multi-orbit constellations, are we moving beyond traditional GSO vs NGSO distinctions, and should regulation evolve to reflect this convergence?
  • How can regulators strike the right balance between enabling innovation and investment in NGSO and D2D services, while also protecting incumbent GSO operators and terrestrial mobile networks from harmful interference?
  • For many African countries, D2D is being positioned as a potential solution for rural and underserved connectivity. What policy and regulatory conditions are needed to ensure these services genuinely deliver on that promise?
  • As the satellite ecosystem becomes increasingly complex, how important will regional coordination and common African positions be in managing coexistence, spectrum access, and cross-border service delivery?
14:25 - 14:35
Session 5: What Next? Shaping Africa’s Connectivity Future | Setting the Scene – Putting the Building Blocks in Place
14:35 - 16:00
Refreshment Break
14:35 - 15:35
Session 5: What Next? Shaping Africa’s Connectivity Future | Panel Discussion

Africa’s connectivity landscape continues to evolve at different speeds. While some countries remain focused on expanding 4G coverage and addressing persistent connectivity gaps, others are accelerating 5G deployment and beginning to explore the technologies, spectrum opportunities and network architectures that could shape future generations of connectivity. At the same time, global discussions around 6G and other future connectivity technologies are already beginning to influence standards development, investment decisions and long-term policy planning. Yet regardless of where individual markets sit on this journey, policymakers, regulators and industry stakeholders face a common challenge: how to balance the urgent priorities of today with the long-term decisions that will determine Africa’s digital future. From spectrum policy and infrastructure investment to standards participation and emerging technologies, choices made now will influence not only the success of current network deployments, but also the continent’s ability to shape and benefit from future connectivity developments. This session will ask what Africa wants to achieve through long-term spectrum and connectivity policy, and how stakeholders can continue addressing today’s priorities while actively preparing for what comes next. It will explore how Africa can build a more seamless pathway across technology generations, ensure its priorities are reflected in global discussions, and create the conditions for inclusive, sustainable digital growth.

 

  • What should Africa’s long-term connectivity ambitions be, and how can spectrum policy help deliver them across markets at different stages of development?
  • How can policymakers balance immediate priorities around coverage, affordability, investment and 5G deployment with the need to plan for 6G and future network evolution?
  • How is the global discussion around future spectrum requirements evolving, including in bands such as 6 GHz and 7 GHz that may play an important role in future generations of connectivity? How can Africa ensure its interests are reflected in these international discussions, and what implications should they have for the continent’s long-term spectrum strategy?
  • Why is it important for African stakeholders to engage now in global standards, WRC-27 and 6G-related discussions, even where deployment may not be imminent?
  • Looking ahead to 2030 and beyond, what should Africa’s long-term connectivity ambitions be and how can progress towards them be measured?
  • As global discussions around 6G begin to accelerate, what aspects are most relevant for African stakeholders today, and how can the continent ensure its priorities are reflected in the development of future network generations?
16:00 - 17:00
Session 6: Spectrum for Public Good: Maximising Social and Economic Value Across Africa | Panel Discussion

As the day’s earlier sessions have examined the technical, commercial and regulatory dimensions of spectrum management, the closing session steps back to ask a more fundamental question: what is spectrum ultimately for, and how can Africa ensure it delivers its full potential value for society as a whole? Spectrum is not simply a technical resource or a source of government revenue – it is a foundation for economic development, social inclusion, cultural life and public participation. Yet across the continent, spectrum policy has not always reflected this broader value. Connectivity gaps persist for millions of citizens, the communities that stand to benefit most from better spectrum management are often the least represented in policy processes, and the full cultural and social dimensions of spectrum use remain underweighted in regulatory thinking. This session will bring together the social, cultural and economic dimensions of spectrum policy, exploring how regulators and governments can move towards frameworks that recognise spectrum as a genuine public good and make deliberate choices about how its value is distributed across society.

 

  • Beyond revenue generation and commercial deployment, how should African regulators and governments be measuring the true social and economic value that spectrum delivers for their citizens and communities?
  • Despite significant investment in mobile infrastructure, large parts of the continent remain effectively unconnected. What are the most significant structural barriers, and which policy levers are proving most effective in addressing them?
  • How can spectrum licensing frameworks, coverage obligations and award conditions be better designed to serve underserved and rural communities without undermining the investment case for operators?
  • What role should UHF and other key coverage bands play in Africa’s long-term spectrum strategy, particularly in balancing rural connectivity needs with broadcasting and creative industry requirements, which in themselves deliver significant cultural and social value? As pressure on these bands grows, how should regulators approach the challenge of protecting these uses while meeting demand for mobile broadband?
  • What role can community networks, shared spectrum models, secondary licensing and other innovative approaches play in extending the reach of spectrum’s benefits beyond commercially viable areas?
  • How can spectrum policy better support wider development goals, including digital inclusion, education, local content creation, cultural participation and economic opportunity across underserved communities?
  • Looking ahead, what would a truly people-centred approach to spectrum management look like for Africa, and what practical steps can regulators take now to begin moving in that direction?
17:00 - 17:20
Declaration of Establishment ATU Task Force for African LEO Systems
17:20 - 18:00
Presentations from Candidates for ITU-BR Director
Select date to see events.

Event Information

For practical information on travelling to and staying in Tunisia, including entry requirements, recommended accommodation options, local transport and other useful guidance, please download the Practical Information Guide, kindly prepared by our hosts, ANF.

For visa purposes, please download the official invitation letter, available in both English and French, kindly prepared by ATU.

Should you have any questions regarding your visa application or travel arrangements, please contact [email protected]

Royal ASBU Hotel

Avenue Cheikh Mohamed Fadhel Ben Achour,
Centre Urbain Nord,
1003 Tunis

Frequently Asked Questions

Registration is now open alongside the APM27-3, you can register here.

There is currently no virtual element for this event.

You can find more information on the Global Spectrum Series here.

More information is available on the ATU website here.

Previous Event Highlights

2025 marked the 10th edition of the Sub-Sahara Spectrum Management Conference held as part of The Global Spectrum Series. The Conference once again provided the leading neutral platform for spectrum stakeholders policy discussion in the region. Over 500 delegates joined 2 days of discussions in Nairobi, Kenya. 

 

Hear from some of our speakers and delegates on their key takeaways and view the event photos below. (To view the highlights videos please make sure to accept the cookies)

10th Sub Sahara Spectrum Management Conference

Event Photos

Contact

For more information on any aspect of this event, please contact Lorena Rodriguez: 

[email protected]

Tel: +44 (0) 2920 783072

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