The West Africa Internet Governance Forum 2026 invites session proposals for its annual regional convening to be held in Freetown, Sierra Leone, from 11 to 15 May 2026. WAIGF is the principal multistakeholder platform for dialogue on Internet governance and digital public policy in West Africa. It convenes governments, regulators, parliamentarians, private sector leaders, technical community representatives, civil society organisations, academia, youth networks, and development partners to strengthen policy coherence, regional cooperation, and inclusive digital development across the ECOWAS region. WAIGF 2026 is convened under the theme: Digital Sovereignty and Economic Value in West Africa’s Integrated Digital Market. The 2026 edition is designed to move from dialogue to implementation by fostering informed, inclusive, and solution-oriented discussions that produce actionable recommendations, partnerships, and follow-up initiatives.

Thematic Framework

All proposals must align with the main theme and clearly indicate the subtheme addressed.

Subtheme 1

Digital Sovereignty, Human Capacity Development, Platform Accountability and Economic Justice. This subtheme explores the regulatory, economic, and institutional foundations of digital sovereignty in West Africa. It examines:

• Platform accountability and regulatory coherence
• Fair fiscal contribution and taxation of digital platforms
• Asymmetric value extraction and regional bargaining power
• Competition and consumer protection frameworks
• Institutional strengthening and regulatory enforcement capacity
• Human capacity development for digital governance

Proposals under this subtheme should move beyond problem identification and provide practical policy pathways, cooperation models, and implementation mechanisms that strengthen regional economic justice and governance capability.

Subtheme 2

Data, Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies Governance, Protection and Redress. This subtheme focuses on governance frameworks for data-driven systems and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence. It addresses:

• Data protection and privacy frameworks
• Cybersecurity and cyber resilience
• Online safety and child protection
• Accountability mechanisms for AI systems
• Lawful access and cross-border cooperation
• Redress mechanisms for digital harms

Proposals should demonstrate how protection, accountability, innovation, and rights can be balanced in West African contexts and should provide realistic governance approaches that reflect institutional capacities in the region.

Subtheme 3

Regional Digital Single Market, Digital Infrastructure, Sovereignty and Coordinated Platform Governance. This subtheme advances the ambition of a regional digital single market supported by interoperable and resilient infrastructure. It addresses:

• Broadband expansion and backbone resilience
• Data centres, cloud services, and infrastructure sovereignty
• Digital identity and interoperable public services
• Cross-border digital trade and payments
• Regional cybersecurity coordination
• Harmonised approaches to platform governance

Proposals should examine how infrastructure and governance choices can reduce fragmentation, enhance resilience, and support inclusive regional economic growth.