Introduction
The ITU-T Study Group 5 Regional Group for Africa was created in 2009 in accordance with WTSA Resolution 54 on “Creation of regional groups” (Rev. New Delhi, 2024), Resolution 72 on “Measurement and assessment concerns related to human exposure to electromagnetic fields” (Rev. New Delhi, 2024), Resolution 73 on “Information and communication technologies, environment, climate change and circular economy” (Rev. New Delhi, 2024) and Resolution 79 “Role of telecommunications/information and communication technologies in handling and controlling e-waste from telecommunication and information technology equipment and methods of treating it” (Rev. New Delhi, 2024). The topics under SG5 cover the following: electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), resistibility and lightning protection, soft error caused by particle radiations, human exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF), circular economy and e‑waste management, ICTs related to the environment, energy efficiency, clean energy and sustainable digitalization for climate actions.
The terms of reference were revised in May 2026.
Objectives
The objectives of the ITU-T Study Group 5 Regional Group for Africa include, but are not limited to:
- Conducting research and making contributions on the topics under SG5 mandate;
- Disseminating information on the studies conducted and the topics under SG5;
- Encouraging participation of the African countries[1] in the SG5 events;
- Establishing a platform to attend to the needs of African countries on the issues covered by the SG5 mandate
- Consolidating positions of the African countries on the topics within the mandate of SG5;
- Looking into possible environmental concerns and/or effects of new and emerging technologies in the Africa region e.g., IMT-2020, and future evolutions such as IMT-2030 systems, Low Earth Orbiting satellites (LEOs), AI and proposing possible mitigation measures.
- Support the identification, documentation and submission of African experiences, data, case studies and implementation to ITU-T SG5 to ensure that global standards, Recommendations, technical reports and supplements reflect the realities, priorities and development context of African countries.
Terms of Reference
The terms of reference are in cognizance with the key focus areas and the work structure of the ITU-T SG5 as well as international and regional commitments, which include:
- Disseminate information and studies on the relevant work of ITU-T Study Group 5 within the region
- The Paris Agreement (November 2016) on keeping global temperature rise below 2◦C in all countries;
- Connect 2030 Agenda for Global Telecommunication/information and communication technology, including broadband, for sustainable development.
- Resolution 200 (Rev. Bucharest, 2022) which was reaffirmed at the ITU 2022 Plenipotentiary Conference (PP-22).
- Studying human exposure to electromagnetic fields and EMC aspects, keeping in view the development of 5G and small cell networks.
- Facilitate the development of coordinated African contributions to ITU-T SG5 Questions including through regional consultations, expert exchanges, preparatory meetings and the identification of priority issues requiring African input.
Accordingly, this Regional Group will:
- Disseminate the work and the activities of ITU-T SG5 within the industry in the region, especially SMEs, interested in joining the mailing lists and informal debates, to increase expert participation in the ITU-T SG5 Questions’ work;
- Encourage the participation of the African countries, regulators and operators in the work of SG5 in order to establish a link to attend to their needs as well as contribute to the development of new or revised ITU-T Recommendations, Supplements and Technical Reports on the issues covered under SG5 mandate;
- Promote capacity building and knowledge exchange among African countries on the practical implementation of ITU- T SG5 Recommendation, particularly in the areas of EMF assessment, EMC, e-waste management , circular economy , energy efficiency, climate resilience, sustainable digital infrastructure and environmental reporting.
- Boost discussions on current issues, challenges as well as priorities in the African continent in line with SG5 mandate;
- Encouraging the use of artificial intelligence and software for a sustainable green environment.
- Promoting and encouraging sustainable digital transformation.
- Enhance the development of contributions from the African continent in cognizance with the international and regional commitments in line with the SG5 mandate;
- Disseminate relevant and timely information provided by ITU-T on various Recommendations;
- Share the best practices on human exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) aspects, keeping in view the development of IMT-2020, and future evolutions such as IMT-2030 systems, small cell networks and Low Earth Orbiting satellites (LEOs);
- Encourage the implementation of ITU-T K-series and L-series Recommendations developed by ITU-T SG5 in the region;
- Provide adequate follow up through the focal points identified on the various activities launched by ITU;
- Collaborate with relevant regional and continental institutions including the African Telecommunication Union, Regional economic communities, standardization bodies, regulators, academia, and development partners to strengthen regional coordination on SG5 related matters;
- Encourage the collaboration amongst universities, scientific collectives, public authorities and development banks in the region with the regional group, in order to facilitate interdisciplinary research and policy dialogue on topics such as biodiversity, environmental efficiency and monitoring and sustainable infrastructure. These efforts aim to strengthen data availability and scientific inputs for the inclusion of environmental variables in the pre-feasibility stages of public infrastructure investment.
- Foster debate and examine the major challenges linked to EMF, environment, AI, IMT-2020 and beyond, sustainable digitalization, climate action, e-waste and circular economy faced by African member states, operators, manufacturers, regulators and academia within the region;
- Collaborate with all stakeholders to contribute to international agreement and instruments including the Connect 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Paris Agreement, the Roadmap for Digital Cooperation;
- Support any initiative leading to the Regional Group’s evolution;
- Act as a liaison body between member states, operators, manufacturers, regulators and academia in matters under the SG5 mandate.
- Encourage the participation of academia, research institutions, young professional and women experts from the African Region in SG5 and SG5RG AFR activities, in order to broaden the regional expert base and strengthen long term participation in standardisation work.
Working methods
- Most of the work should be done with electronic tools, for example the available Web Conferencing Tools.
- TSB secretariat will provide necessary support to the regular meeting of this Regional Group in accordance with available budgetary resources.
- The regional group will be encouraged to hold physical meetings. The regional group is also encouraged to use remote collaboration tools and co-locate with existing meetings to the maximum extent.
- The regional group progress reports are to be provided to the parent study group meeting.
- SG5RG-AFR will appoint a Chair and Vice-chairs for a period of four years and will inform the SG5 accordingly. The term of office for both chair and vice-chair shall not exceed two terms of office between consecutive assemblies or conferences. In appointing its leadership, SG5RG-AFR is encouraged to consider candidates who actively and regularly participate in SG5 and SG5RG-AFR meetings and who demonstrate a sustained commitment to the work and activities of the Group.
SG5RG-AFR Mailing List
To subscribe to the sg5rgafr mailing list, an ITU user account with TIES access is required. Users with TIES access can subscribe directly. Others, please send your request to tsbsg5@itu.int.
[1] Countries include: Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo (Republic of the), Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe.