Proposed Speakers
Noha Ashraf Abdel Baky-Egypt (Network Engineer, MAG Member North Africa IGF)
Godsway Kubi-Ghana (Internet and E-Governance Advocate)
Mitchelle Wambui Wangari-Kenya (International Relations Specialist, 2026 Youth Ambassador @ Internet Society)
Saba Tiku Beyene-Ethiopia (Junior Advisor, AI for Economic Development, 2026 IGF MAG Member)
Khaoula El Habyb-Morocco (Professor, President of Youth IGF Morocco, MAG Member North Africa IGF)
Abdul Manaf Sulemana-Ghana (IT Officer & UA Project Officer)

Session Description
Every year, hundreds of youths across Africa attend Internet Governance Forums and schools on Internet Governance. However, many struggle to understand how the Internet governance ecosystem fits together and how to transition from attending events to making meaningful contributions.
This workshop will demystify the Internet governance ecosystem and provide participants with a roadmap for sustained engagement. The youth will gain an understanding of the multistakeholder model and discover opportunities to contribute through NRIs, Regional and Global IGFs, Dynamic Coalitions, Policy Networks, Best Practice Forums and Youth Internet Governance initiatives.
The session will also highlight learning resources, mentorship opportunities and practical ways to engage beyond public meetings by joining working groups, contributing to consultations, volunteering and collaborating within regional and global Internet governance communities.

Session Objectives
Discover opportunities to participate through Youth IGFs, NRIs, AfIGF, the global IGF, and related initiatives.
Become familiar with Policy Networks, Dynamic Coalitions, Best Practice Forums, Leadership Panels, MAG Leadership and intersessional work.
Identify practical ways to contribute beyond attending events, including volunteering, public consultations, policy drafting and community leadership.
Support participants in developing realistic personal engagement plans with clear short, medium and long-term goals for contributing to Internet governance initiatives.

Discussion Questions
What are the main barriers preventing young people from sustaining their involvement in Internet governance after attending training programmes or forums, and how can these challenges be addressed?
What opportunities exist for African youth to engage meaningfully in Internet governance beyond attending national, regional and global Internet Governance Forums, and how can these opportunities be made more accessible?
How can young people get started in the Internet governance ecosystem, and what knowledge, skills and networks are essential for sustained participation in digital policy processes?
How can Internet governance institutions, National and Regional IGFs (NRIs), and youth initiatives strengthen awareness through fellowships, Schools on Internet Governance, Policy Networks, Dynamic Coalitions and Best Practice Forums?

Expected Outcomes
Increased awareness of Internet governance opportunities for African youth.
A practical engagement roadmap for participants.
Increased participation in NRIs, Policy Networks, Dynamic Coalitions, and other intersessional activities.
A network of young leaders committed to sustained engagement beyond AfIGF 2026.
Participants gain an appreciation of both policy and technical implementation pathways and identify opportunities to contribute to initiatives that strengthen an open, interoperable, secure, and inclusive Internet across Africa