54 Countries to Attend Africa Internet Governance Forum in Nigeria  

Emma Okonji

Nigeria is set to play host to 54 African nations and other continental Internet governance stakeholder blocs at the 2023 Africa Internet Governance Forum (AfIGF 2023) in Abuja.

This year’s event, being the 12th edition of the annual forum, is being hosted by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on behalf of the federal government, and is scheduled to take place at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, with the theme, ‘Transforming Africa’s Digital Landscape: Empowering Inclusion, Security, and Innovation.” 

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 Director, Public Affairs at NCC, Mr. Reuben Muoka, in a statement, said the event would be preceded by the African Youth Internet Governance Forum, which will take place from 13-18 September, 2023. 

The series of events at this year’s programme will commence with the Parliamentarian Symposium, scheduled to take place from 18-19 September 2023 during which members of the Parliament from all participating countries will take the opportunity to consult and network with one another in a roundtable designed to better understanding of the roles of the legislature, and nudge deeper synergy with parliaments on Internet Governance in Africa. 

“As a crucial gathering of stakeholders and investors in Africa’s digital future, the 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, ” Muoka said.