The West Africa Internet Governance Forum 2026 will serve as the principal multistakeholder platform for dialogue on Internet governance, digital policy, and emerging technologies in the ECOWAS region. Convened under the umbrella of the global Internet Governance Forum process, WAIGF 2026 will bring together government representatives, regulators, the private sector, technical community, civil society, academia, youth, and the media to address shared regional priorities in a neutral, inclusive, and collaborative setting.
The 2026 edition will take place in Sierra Leone and will be organized in close coordination with regional and international partners, including ECOWAS institutions, the Internet Society community, and global Internet governance stakeholders. The forum will focus on pressing issues such as digital inclusion, cybersecurity, data governance, artificial intelligence, digital public infrastructure, online trust, and the role of the Internet in democratic resilience and economic development across West Africa.
WAIGF 2026 will combine high-level plenary discussions, thematic workshops, capacity-building sessions, and a dedicated West Africa Internet Governance School aimed at strengthening regional expertise and leadership.
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:
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:
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:
Proposals should examine how infrastructure and governance choices can reduce fragmentation, enhance resilience, and support inclusive regional economic growth.
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