Lomé, Togo – 23 April 2026 – The West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Association (WATRA) is pleased to announce the recognition of Mr. Ruffus Samuel, Principal Manager, Partnerships, for his outstanding contribution to the activities and strategic advancement of the Association.
This distinction was conferred during the 23rd Annual General Meeting of WATRA, held from 20 to 24 April 2026 in Lomé, Togo. The recognition highlights Mr. Samuel’s sustained commitment to strengthening regional cooperation and fostering effective collaboration among WATRA’s 16 Member National Regulatory Authorities, as well as with key stakeholders across the telecommunications ecosystem.
With over two decades of experience in the telecommunications sector, Mr. Samuel has played a pivotal role in shaping and implementing partnership strategies that support regulatory harmonization and digital transformation across West Africa. In his current capacity, he leads strategic engagement initiatives and oversees the development of partnerships aligned with WATRA’s Strategic and Annual Work Plans.
His work has significantly enhanced coordination mechanisms among Member NRAs through the promotion of structured dialogue, facilitation of cross-border regulatory collaboration, and support for consensus-building on key regional priorities. He has also been instrumental in advancing data-driven initiatives, particularly in broadband mapping, by coordinating the collection, validation, and harmonization of data across Member Administrations—thereby contributing to evidence-based policymaking and improved regional connectivity planning.
Working closely with the Executive Secretary, Mr. Samuel provides strategic advisory support, analytical insights, and performance assessments to ensure that partnership engagements are effectively aligned with WATRA’s institutional objectives. His active engagement with international organizations and development partners has further enabled the mobilization of resources, technical expertise, and knowledge to strengthen the telecommunications sector in the region.
Mr. Ruffus Samuel is fully bilingual, with a strong command of both English and French, enabling him to operate with ease in diverse institutional and linguistic environments across West Africa.
Commenting on the recognition, a WATRA official stated: “This honour reflects Mr. Samuel’s unwavering dedication to institutional excellence and his exceptional ability to build and sustain strategic alliances that enhance the visibility, impact, and effectiveness of WATRA across the region.”
Mr. Samuel is widely recognized for his ability to navigate complex, multi-country environments, foster trust-based relationships, and translate strategic vision into tangible outcomes. His work continues to support the development of a more integrated, resilient, and dynamic digital ecosystem in West Africa.
