Shaping West Africa’s Digital Future: Spotlight on the 2025 School on Internet Governance.

As the digital landscape rapidly evolves across West Africa, the need for informed and engaged stakeholders in internet governance (IG) has never been more critical. This year, the region is gearing up to host the prestigious West Africa School on Internet Governance (WASIG) 2025, a vital capacity-building initiative aimed at empowering the next generation of digital leaders and fostering a resilient, inclusive, and safe digital future for West Africa.

Scheduled to take place in Abuja, Nigeria, from May 19th to 21st, 2025, WASIG 2025 precedes the main West Africa Internet Governance Forum (WAIGF), creating a comprehensive week dedicated to shaping the region’s digital trajectory. This year’s WASIG holds particular significance as it builds upon the work initiated in the previous year, aiming to produce a final document with the support of ECOWAS professionals, focusing on the crucial race for regulation and the governance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies.

The core objective of WASIG is to equip West African stakeholders – including representatives from government, civil society, the private sector, the technical community, academia, and youth – with a thorough understanding of internet governance issues. The curriculum is meticulously designed to address both foundational IG principles and the prevailing and emerging challenges specific to the West African context.

WASIG 2025 promises an intensive learning environment, featuring expert-led sessions, interactive workshops, and opportunities for networking and knowledge sharing. Participants will delve into critical areas such as:

• Digital Resilience: Exploring cybersecurity threats, data protection strategies, online safety measures, and building digital trust within the region.
• Digital Public Infrastructure, Policy Harmonization, and Digital Cooperation: Examining policy alignment across West African nations, exploring effective governance frameworks, and fostering collaboration on a regional and global scale (aligning with WSIS+20, GDC, OEWG, and SDGs 2030).
• AI, Data Governance, and Innovation for Development: Analyzing national AI strategies, establishing robust data governance frameworks, and harnessing emerging technologies for sustainable economic growth and social development.

This year’s “Alumni” edition of WASIG emphasizes the importance of building upon previous knowledge and fostering a continuous learning environment. Participants will have the unique opportunity to refine a draft document initiated last year, contributing directly to shaping policy recommendations for the region.

Furthermore, WASIG serves as a crucial preparatory ground for engagement in national, regional, continental, and global internet governance processes, including the subsequent WAIGF and the broader Internet Governance Forum (IGF) ecosystem. By fostering a deeper understanding of the complexities of IG, WASIG empowers participants to become effective contributors to shaping the future of the internet.

The West Africa School on Internet Governance 2025 represents a significant investment in the region’s digital future. By building the capacity of a diverse range of stakeholders, WASIG aims to foster a collaborative and informed approach to internet governance, ultimately contributing to a resilient, inclusive, and safe digital environment for all West Africans. As the program commences in Abuja, the continent watches with anticipation the emergence of a new cohort of empowered digital leaders ready to shape the future of their nations in the digital age.