At the Africa Internet Governance Forum (AfIGF 2023) that will take place in Abuja, Nigeria, from September 18th to September 21st, 2023, Nigeria is scheduled to play home to 54 African governments in addition to other continental Internet governance stakeholder blocs.
This year’s event, which is the 12th edition of the annual forum, is being hosted by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on behalf of the Federal Government. It is scheduled to take place at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja, with the theme, “Transforming Africa’s Digital Landscape: Empowering Inclusion, Security, and Innovation”.
The Internet Governance Forum will serve as a platform for meaningful debate and collaboration on Internet Governance among diverse sectors and regional projects. The goals of the Forum are to improve digital connection, address difficulties related to Internet Governance, and empower Africa through digital transformation.
The African Youth Internet Governance Forum will take place from September 13 through September 18, 2023, and will serve as a prelude to the main event.
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About the forum
The series of events that will take place during this year’s programme will begin with the Parliamentarian Symposium, which is scheduled to take place from September 18-19, 2023. During this event, members of the Parliament from all of the participating countries will have the opportunity to consult and network with one another in a roundtable discussion that is designed to better understand the roles of the legislature, and to nudge deeper synergy with parliaments on Internet Governance in Africa.
AfIGF 2023 promises to be a rare assemblage of key stakeholders from government, civil society, academia, the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector, and a broad spectrum of actors in the private sector intentionally rallied to discuss important matters focused on the development, access, and governance of the Internet in Africa. This is a crucial gathering of stakeholders and investors in Africa’s digital future.
The Internet Governance Forum is a vibrant and inclusive platform that brings together stakeholders from across the African continent and other international partners, to engage in discussions that will shape the future of Internet Governance. The Forum is structured in a variety of gatherings, including dialogues, workshops, panel sessions, symposia, and roundtables, among other types of events.
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More Information on the Africa Internet Governance Forum
Other focal sessions at the event will include plenary discussions, interactive workshops, and expert panels focusing on topics such as Digital Inclusion and Connectivity; Cyber Security and Data Protection; Digital Rights and Freedom of Expression; Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Emerging Technologies; E-Commence and Digital Economy; and Data Governance and Trust, amongst others. These sessions will take place throughout the course of the event.
It is also anticipated that participants will address the 17 Sustainable Development Goals in relation to digital literacy and access to the internet in a manner that is intended to hasten the pace of development on the continent.
At the event, high-ranking speakers, policymakers, industry professionals, and thought leaders from all around Africa and beyond will share their knowledge and insights. The forum will generate actionable recommendations that can inform policymaking, drive investments, and shape the future of Internet Governance in Africa.
It will do this by reshaping the trajectory of the digital landscape on the continent and paving the way for a more inclusive and prosperous digital future. These recommendations will be generated through the expertise and insights of the participants.