Document :

ITU-D SG01  Contribution  61

Title :

Single emergency number in Africa: Technological barriers to overcome

Date :

2026-03-16

Source :

Congo (Rep. of the)

AI/Question :

Q3/1

Meeting :

2026-04-13

Access :

Restricted to TIES users [ITU-D]

Abstract :

The harmonization of emergency numbers has been prioritized for Africa by the African Telecommunications Union (ATU). Resolution 100 of the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA), originally adopted in Geneva in 2022 and updated in New Delhi in 2024, urges member states to establish a universal emergency number, recommending 112 as the primary number or 911 as an alternative. However, this normative aspiration faces a complex technical reality. Africa is characterized by significant disparities in telecommunications infrastructure, network coverage, technological levels, and institutional capabilities. This article focuses on these technical challenges, which are crucial to the success of any harmonization initiative.