Ayodeji Ayenuwa
Nigeria is set to host 54 countries in Abuja for the 12th edition of the Africa Internet Governance Forum. The event, poised to commence from the 18th to the 21st of September, will be hosted by the Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) instead of the federal government at Transcorp Hilton Abuja.
With the theme “Transforming Africa’s Digital Landscape: Empowering Inclusion, Security, and Innovation”, the primary objective of this event is to address the challenges and opportunities brought about by the rapidly changing digital environment in Africa. It places particular emphasis on enhancing inclusivity, establishing robust cybersecurity measures, and fostering innovation throughout the continent.
In a statement issued earlier this month, the NCC said, “The Forum will serve as a platform for meaningful dialogue and collaboration on internet governance among various sectors and regional initiatives to advance digital connectivity, address internet governance challenges, and empower Africa through digital transformation.”
The event will be preceded by the African Youth Internet Governance Forum, which will take place from the 13th to the 18th of September 2023. It will be followed by the 18th United Nations Internet Governance Forum in Japan next month, with the theme “The Internet We Want – Empowering All People.”
The series of events at this year’s program will commence with the Parliamentarian Symposium, scheduled to take place from September 18th to 19th, 2023. During this symposium, members of parliament from all participating countries will have the opportunity to consult and network with one another in a roundtable designed to better understand the roles of the legislature and foster deeper synergy with parliaments on internet governance in Africa.
At the event, attendees will engage in a wide range of sessions, workshops, and panel discussions led by industry experts and thought leaders. These sessions will delve into various topics, including digital inclusion, universal access, cybersecurity, data protection, internet governance policies and regulations, emerging technologies, online rights and freedoms, and collaboration among multiple stakeholders.
