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Programme

​​​​​​​​Fourth ITU Regional Workshop for Africa
“Strengthening ICT Integrity: Combating Counterfeits, Testing Challenges, and Fraudulent Communications in Africa Region” 

Tunis, Tunisia, 1 October 2025​


Contact: tsbevents@itu.int

​09:30 - 09:45
(Local Tunisia Time) 
​OPENING REMARKS
​09:40 - 10:40
(Local Tunisia Time) 
SESSION 1: CONFORMANCE AND INTEROPERABILITY ACTIVITIES IN THE REGION

This session will focus on the current landscape of conformance and interoperability (C&I) efforts in the African region. It will explore the implementation of the ITU C&I Programme and examine how its outcomes are supporting the development of national and regional frameworks for type approval and equipment testing. The session aims to identify common challenges, promote alignment with international standards, and encourage capacity building initiatives to strengthen regional C&I capabilities.

Moderator: Siala Kais​, CERT Lab
​10:40 - 11:10
(Local Tunisia Time) 
Group Photo and Coffee Break
​11:10 - 12:30
​(Local Tunisia Time) 
SESSION 2: COMBATING COUNTERFEITING AND ICT THEFT IN THE REGION

This session will address the growing threat of counterfeit ICT devices and stolen mobile equipment, which undermine user safety, disrupt network performance, and compromise national security. Experts will present national and regional strategies to detect, prevent, and mitigate the circulation of fake or illicit devices. Key topics will include the use of Equipment Identity Registers (EIR), international databases, authentication tools, and regulatory enforcement mechanisms. The session will also feature case studies from countries that have implemented successful countermeasures, aiming to share lessons learned and promote collaborative approaches across borders.

Moderator: Kofi Ntim Yeboah-Kordieh, Ag. Director, Regulatory Administrations Division, National Communications Authority I Vice Chair, ITU-T SG 11
​12:30 - 14:00
(Local Tunisia Time) 
​Lunch Break
​14:00 - 15:15
(Local Tunisia Time) 
SESSION 3: COMBATING FRAUDULENT COMMUNICATIONS IN THE REGION

With fraudulent communications becoming increasingly sophisticated and transnational, this session will examine the latest trends, threats, and countermeasures related to telecom fraud in the African region. Issues such as spoofing numbers, robocalls, scam calls and messages intercept will be discussed. Participants will explore regulatory responses, technological solutions, and the role of international standards, particularly those developed by ITU-T Study Group 11 in combating these practices. The session aims to foster regional dialogue and cooperation, promote the adoption of trusted caller identification frameworks, and enhance consumer protection and network integrity.

Moderator: ​​Salim Nebili​, PhD | Executive Director, Tunisia Telecom | Vice-Chair, ITU-T Study Group 11​ 
​15:15 - 16:00
(Local Tunisia Time) 
​WRAP-UP SESSION  & ​CLOSING REMARKS

The Wrap-up Session will summarize the key discussions, outcomes, and recommendations from all sessions. It will provide an opportunity to reflect on regional priorities, highlight best practices, and identify actionable next steps to advance conformance and interoperability, combat counterfeiting and ICT theft, and address fraudulent communications in the African region. The session will also outline future collaboration opportunities within the ITU framework and invite continued engagement from all stakeholders

Moderator: Kofi Ntim Yeboah-Kordieh, Ag. Director, Regulatory Administrations Division, National Communications Authority I Vice Chair, ITU-T SG 11​
​16:00 - 16:30
(Local Tunisia Time) 
​Coffee Break 
16:30 - 17:30
(Local Tunisia Time) 

OPENING of the SG11RG-AFR MEETING

Note: The regional group meeting is restricted to representatives of Member States, Sector Members and Academia from the region, as well as Associates that belong to the parent study group and the region concerned, may participate in the SG11RG-AFR meeting, in addition to participants invited by the regional group, as defined in WTSA Resolution 54 (Rev. New Delhi, 2024) (Resolves 4-6).

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