The 13th Africa Internet Governance Forum (AfIGF) will take place from November 20 to 22, 2024, at the United Nations Conference Center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The forum, organized by the AfIGF Secretariat, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and Ethiopia’s Ministry of Innovation and Technology, will bring together policymakers, civil society leaders, technical experts, and youth innovators to shape Africa’s digital future under the theme, "Building Our Multi-Stakeholder Digital Future for Africa".
The forum will address pressing issues in internet governance, including cybersecurity, data governance, digital rights, sustainability, and the impacts of emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI). Discussions will target the improvement in Africa’s input towards global digital governance efforts, notably the upcoming 19th Global Internet Governance Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in December 2024.
The AfIGF 2024 looks to feature various sessions for inclusive and strategic dialogue. These include high-level discussions will tackle critical priorities in digital governance; a Parliamentary Track will engage African legislators on regulatory frameworks for secure and accessible internet systems; and a Youth Forum will amplify the voices of young leaders, and national and regional workshops will strengthen alignment between local, continental, and global internet governance initiatives.
AfIGF’s Role in Shaping Africa’s Digital Landscape
Since its establishment in 2011, the AfIGF has served as a pivotal platform for advancing multi-stakeholder approaches to internet governance across Africa. It provides a collaborative space for governments, private sector actors, civil society, and academia to address challenges and opportunities in digital policy. Key focus areas have included promoting digital inclusion, protecting digital rights, and fostering innovation to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
This year’s forum seeks to build on that legacy by emphasizing ethical and operational dimensions of Africa’s internet landscape. The outcomes of the discussions are expected to guide sustainable, secure, and inclusive digital policies that strengthen Africa’s digital ecosystem while addressing challenges such as unequal access and cybersecurity threats.
Hybrid Format to Broaden Accessibility
The AfIGF 2024 will adopt a hybrid format, allowing participants to join virtually while also hosting in-person sessions at the UN Conference Center and the newly inaugurated Africa Hall in Addis Ababa. This approach seeks to maximize engagement from stakeholders across the continent and beyond.
The event is aligned with global initiatives, including the Global Digital Compact (GDC) and the Africa WSIS+20 Review process, and aims to create a roadmap for advancing Africa’s contributions to the global digital space.
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