On 11-15 May 2026 the Ministry of Communication, Technology and Innovation (MoCTI) convened the West Africa Internet Governance Forum (WAIGF) 2026 in Freetown, Sierra Leone, with the theme ‘Digital Sovereignty and Economic Value in West Africa’s Integrated Digital Market’. The WIGF is a regional platform that brings together stakeholders from 15 countries in West Africa, including governments, the private sector, civil society, the technical community and academia, to discuss digital policy, strengthen cooperation and advance inclusive digital transformation.
- No recordings have been published AFAICT
- ISOC LIVE recorded the WAYIGF and some of the Main Forum, but is yet to process
- MoCTI Final Communiqué
- WAPNIG 2026 Communiqué
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WAIGF 2026 incorporated:
MAY 11-12: WASIG 2026 – The School of Internet Governance: Training the next generation of policy leaders.
MAY 13: WAYIGF 2026 – Youth Track: Empowering young innovators to drive the digital economy forward.
MAY 14-15: WAPNIG 2026 – Parliamentary Network: Harmonizing digital laws across the West Africa region.
May 14-15: WAIGF – Main Forum: High-Level Plenary Sessions
SCHEDULE (ALL TIMES GMT = UTC+0)
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WASIG — Main Auditorium — Monday, May 11, 2026
08:30–09:00 – WASIG Opening Ceremony
[Zoom]
09:00–10:30 – Navigating the Internet Governance Ecosystem and Shaping West Africa’s Digital Future (Masterclass)
Emmanuel Vitus – Fronts numériques
[Zoom]
10:30–11:00 – Coffee Break
11:00–12:00 – Digital Sovereignty and Economic Value in West Africa’s Integrated Digital Market (Seminar)
Poncelet Ileleji – CEO, Jokkolabs Banjul / Gambia NRI
[Zoom]
12:00–13:00 – Platform Accountability, Taxation and Regulatory Cooperation (Masterclass)
[Zoom]
13:00–14:00 – Lunch Break
14:00–15:00 – Data Governance, AI Governance and Redress Mechanisms (Seminar)
Nnenna Nwakanma – CEO, PAATHI
[Zoom]
15:00–16:00 – Practicum Briefing, Team Formation and Deliverables Orientation (Practicum and group work)
Emmanuel Vitus – Fronts numériques
Folaranmi Umoru – Lawyer, GRC Analyst
Poncelet Ileleji – CEO, Jokkolabs Banjul / Gambia NRI
Engr. Kunle Olorundare, SMIEEE – CEO/President, Internet Society, Nigeria Chapter
[Zoom]
16:00–16:30 – Coffee Break
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WASIG — Main Auditorium — Tuesday, May 12, 2026
08:00–09:00 – Recap and Peer Reflection from Day 1
[Zoom]
09:00–10:00 – Regional Digital Single Market, Infrastructure Sovereignty and Interoperability (Masterclass; French)
Poncelet Ileleji – CEO, Jokkolabs Banjul / Gambia NRI
[Zoom]
10:00–10:30 – Coffee Break
10:30–11:30 – Cybersecurity Cooperation, Lawful Access and Digital Trust Frameworks in the ECOWAS Region (Masterclass)
Emmanuel Vitus – Fronts numériques
[Zoom]
11:30–12:30 – Mentor Clinic: Policy Briefs and Stakeholder Mapping (Mentor clinic)
Emmanuel Vitus – Fronts numériques
Folaranmi Umoru – Lawyer, GRC Analyst
Poncelet Ileleji – CEO, Jokkolabs Banjul / Gambia NRI
[Zoom]
12:30–13:30 – Lunch Break
13:30–14:30 – Practicum Working Session: Team Drafting and Presentation Rehearsal (Practicum and group work)
Emmanuel Vitus – Fronts numériques
Folaranmi Umoru – Lawyer, GRC Analyst
Poncelet Ileleji – CEO, Jokkolabs Banjul / Gambia NRI
[Zoom]
14:30–15:00 – Coffee Break
15:00–16:30 – Team Presentations and Peer Review (Practicum and group work)
Emmanuel Vitus – Fronts numériques
Folaranmi Umoru – Lawyer, GRC Analyst
[Zoom]
16:30–17:00 – Closing Ceremony
[Zoom]
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WAYIGF — Main Auditorium — Wednesday, May 13, 2026
09:00–10:00 – Youth IGF Opening Ceremony (High Level Panel)
Anja Gengo
Ibrahim Sannoh
Osei M Kagyah – Tech Policy Analyst & Researcher
Mary Uduma – Coordinator, WAIGF
Binty Mansaray – Coordinator, West Africa Youth on Internet Governance / Sierra Leone IGF
[Zoom]
10:00–11:15 – High-Level Panel: Youth Priorities for Digital Sovereignty and Economic Opportunity in West Africa (High Level Panel)
Mohamed Wurie Bah – Founder, Wivo Legal Tech 4 Africa
Ignatius Awutey – Strategist
Dembele Aminata – CEO, MASSAMOUSSO (Les Reines du Numérique)
Christopher Greene – CEO, Syberlex Consulting
Loveday Onyeanula – Coordinator, Nigeria Youth IGF
[Zoom]
11:15–11:45 – Coffee Break
11:45–12:30 – Interactive Dialogue: Safe Platforms, Child Online Protection and Online Trust (Lightning talk)
Issaka Maman Lourwana – Founder, Digital Niger
Serge Mbengue – Meta Public Policy Manager, Francophone Africa
Pretty Tega Edema – Lecturer, Admiralty University of Nigeria
[Zoom]
12:30–13:30 – Youth Entrepreneurship, Creator Economies and Local Digital Value (Session)
Cyril Kargbo
Lovetta Bangura – Co-Founder & Operations Lead, EasySTEM
Gloria Sesay
Ajara Marie Bomah – President, Internet Society Sierra Leone Chapter
[Zoom]
13:30–14:30 – Lunch Break
14:30–15:30 – Google Hustle Academy
Rachael Orumor Anorue – AI & Cloud Consultant Trainer
[Zoom]
15:30–16:15 – Summary of Discussions (Practicum and group work)
Josemar Luis Sousa Barros Soares
Clara Gninou – Cybersecurity Consultant; Coordinator, Youth IGF Benin
[Zoom]
16:10–17:00 – Youth Messages Presentation and Closing Formalities (Open forum)
Mr. James Cobba – Director of Policy Planning and Tech Compliance, Ministry of Communication, Technology and Innovation, Sierra Leone
Edward Williams – Vice President, Internet Society Sierra Leone Chapter; Co-Host, Sierra Leone IGF
Binty Mansaray – Coordinator, West Africa Youth on Internet Governance / Sierra Leone IGF
Amina Ramallan – Universal Acceptance Ambassador, Nigeria
[Zoom]
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Main Forum (Plenary) — Main Auditorium — Thursday, May 14, 2026
08:55–11:00 – Opening Ceremony (Service Session)
[Zoom]
11:00–12:00 – Opening Ceremony & Keynote Addresses — WAIGF 2026 (High Level Panel)
H.E. Haja Salima Monorma Bah – Minister of Communication, Technology and Innovation, Sierra Leone
Victoria Oloni – Public Policy Manager, Anglophone West Africa, Meta
Mr. Lacina Koné – Director General & CEO, Smart Africa
Ms. Folake Olagunju – Director of Digital Economy and Post, ECOWAS Commission
Mary Uduma – Coordinator, WAIGF
Ms. Amrita Choudhury – Chair, Internet Governance Forum Support Association
Caleb Ogundele – Board Member, Internet Society
Mr. Chengetai Masango – Head, UN Secretariat for the Internet Governance Forum
Mr. Pierre Dandjinou – Vice President, Stakeholder Engagement – Africa, ICANN
Sen. Shuaib Afolabi Salisu – Chairman, WAPNIG
[Zoom]
12:00–13:30 – Digital Sovereignty and Economic Value in West Africa’s Integrated Digital Market (High Level Panel)
Hon. Adedeji Stanley Olajide – Chairman, Nigeria’s House Committee on ICT & Cybersecurity
Mohamed Mouminie Jalloh – Chief Director, Ministry of Communication, Technology & Innovation, Sierra Leone
‘Gbenga Sesan – Executive Director, Paradigm Initiative
Ms. Folake Olagunju – Director of Digital Economy and Post, ECOWAS Commission
Guiguemde Jacques Rodrigue R – Smart Africa
D. Wariowei – Director, Corporate Planning and Strategy, NITDA, Nigeria
[Zoom]
13:30–14:00 – Group Photo
14:00–15:00 – Lunch Break
15:00–16:00 – Platform Accountability, Economic Justice and Human Capacity Development (High Level Panel)
Emmanuel Vitus – Fronts numériques
Dr. Yakama Manty Jones – Senior Adviser on Executive Priorities & Delivery
Pretty Tega Edema – Lecturer, Admiralty University of Nigeria
Ms. Pren-Tsilya Boa-Guehe – Head of Pan-African Institutions, Google
Mr. Alhaji Saliue Mansaray – Internet Society Sierra Leone Chapter
Alidjanatou Saliou-Arekpa – Member of Parliament, Republic of Benin
[Zoom]
16:00–17:00 – Strengthening ECOWAS Integration in Addressing AI-Driven Misinformation and Cyberbullying (Lightning talk)
Mohamed Laghdaf – A Call for Sub-Regional Digital Integration
[Zoom]
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Breakout — Room 1 — Thursday, May 14, 2026
09:00–10:00 – Update on Universal Acceptance (Workshop)
Yaovi Atohoun – Director for Stakeholder Engagement & Operations for Africa, ICANN
[Zoom]
10:00–11:00 – LondaPulse (Session)
Muhammed Bello Buhari – Programmes Officer (Anglophone West Africa), Paradigm Initiative
Sani Suleiman – Program Officer, Paradigm Initiative
Moussa Waly SENE – Paradigm Initiative
[Zoom]
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Breakout — Room 2 — Thursday, May 14, 2026
09:00–10:00 – Bridging the Techno-Solutionist Gap: A Case Study on AI Governance & Anti-Corruption in West Africa (Case study)
Osei M Kagyah – Tech Policy Analyst & Researcher
Josephine Awuah-Dapaah – Lawyer and Researcher
[Zoom]
10:00–11:00 – Consultation on the Development of ACHPR Guidelines on Platform Accountability and Access to Public Information (Workshop)
Uyanda Siyotula – National Coordinator, SOS Support Public Broadcasting Coalition
Tinotenda Lisa Bangajena – Research Coordinator
[Zoom]
16:00–17:00 – E-Governance in Action: Exploring Various Initiatives in West African Countries (Workshop)
Raymond Mamattah – Founder and President, EGIGFA
Emerald Akhaumere – WTM Ambassador with Google; Crowdsource Influencer with Google
Edward Williams – Vice President, Internet Society Sierra Leone Chapter; Co-Host, Sierra Leone IGF
Afi Edoh – Data Analyst Consultant
[Zoom]
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WAPNIG — VIP MPs Room — Thursday, May 14, 2026
09:00–10:00 – Opening of 2026 WAPNIG Dialogue (Session)
Mary Uduma – Coordinator, WAIGF
Sen. Shuaib Afolabi Salisu – Chairman, WAPNIG
Mr. Chengetai Masango – Head, UN Secretariat for the Internet Governance Forum
Gilbert B N’habay – Deputy Clerk, National Assembly of Sierra Leone
[Zoom]
10:00–11:00 – AI Sprinter Workshop: Actionable Policy Frameworks (Session)
Rachael Orumor Anorue – AI & Cloud Consultant Trainer
[Zoom]
16:00–17:00 – Legislative Options for Platform Accountability, Fiscal Justice and Consumer Protection (Session; French)
Brice Abba – AFRINIC
Moussa Waly SENE – Paradigm Initiative
[Zoom]
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Main Forum (Plenary) — Main Auditorium — Friday, May 15, 2026
10:00–11:00 – From Deployment to Accountability: Building AI Governance That Works for West African Public Institutions (Policy dialogue)
Tiangay Samandia Massaquoi – Data Expert (Global Partnership for Education), Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Sierra Leone
[Zoom]
10:50–11:15 – Health Break
11:15–12:30 – Data, AI and Emerging Technologies Governance, Protection and Redress (High Level Panel)
Joshua Joshua – Data Policy and Regulation Advisor, GIZ / African Union
Mr. James Cobba – Director of Policy Planning and Tech Compliance, Ministry of Communication, Technology and Innovation, Sierra Leone
Marie Ndé SENE AHOUANTCHEDE – Head of Division, Internet, Cybersecurity and e-Applications, ECOWAS Commission
Serge Mbengue – Meta Public Policy Manager, Francophone Africa
Dr. Michael Arowosegbe – Deputy Director and Head of Digital Governance, NITDA, Nigeria
Nnenna Nwakanma – CEO, PAATHI
[Zoom]
12:30–13:55 – Regional Digital Single Market, Infrastructure Sovereignty and Coordinated Platform Governance (High Level Panel)
Poncelet Ileleji – CEO, Jokkolabs Banjul / Gambia NRI
Dembele Aminata – CEO, MASSAMOUSSO (Les Reines du Numérique)
Guiguemde Jacques Rodrigue R – Smart Africa
Ms. Folake Olagunju – Director of Digital Economy and Post, ECOWAS Commission
Hon. Oumar Sy – Member of the National Assembly, Senegal
Emily Fanday – Fintech Entrepreneur
[Zoom]
14:00–15:00 – Lunch Break
15:00–16:00 – Protecting People, Not Just Systems: From Cyber-Control to Online Safety in Sierra Leone (High Level Panel)
Muhammed Bello Buhari – Programmes Officer (Anglophone West Africa), Paradigm Initiative
[Zoom]
16:00–17:00 – Closing Ceremony and Communiqués
[Zoom]
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Breakout — Room 1 — Friday, May 15, 2026
09:00–10:00 – Artificial Intelligence, Data and Emerging Technologies (Workshop)
Alex Williams – Cyber Risk Specialist, National Cybersecurity Coordination Centre, Sierra Leone
[Zoom]
10:05–11:05 – AI Governance & Data Protection in West Africa (ISOC Sierra Leone, Nigeria and Liberia Chapters) (Roundtable)
Engr. Kunle Olorundare, SMIEEE – CEO/President, Internet Society, Nigeria Chapter
Mohamed Wurie Bah – Founder, Wivo Legal Tech 4 Africa
Ajara Marie Bomah – President, Internet Society Sierra Leone Chapter
Edward Williams – Vice President, Internet Society Sierra Leone Chapter; Co-Host, Sierra Leone IGF
[Zoom]
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Breakout — Room 2 — Friday, May 15, 2026
09:00–10:00 – Digital Sovereignty Requires Digital Tax Justice: Accountability in West Africa’s Digital Economy (Workshop)
Charles Fiifi Hagan – Cybersecurity Governance & Digital Policy Specialist; Founder, Chayil SecureX; President, The Tax Institute
[Zoom]
10:00–11:00 – Universal Scripts, Fragmented Systems: How UA and Infrastructure Choices Shape Digital Sovereignty (Session)
Tinuade Oguntuyi – GM Technical, Information Connectivity Solutions Ltd.
Confidence Osein – Founder, Internet Safe Kids Africa; Digital Citizenship and Cybersafety Tech Educator
Israel Olatunji Tijani – Cybersecurity Expert / Data Scientist, ChatVE
Amina Ramallan – Universal Acceptance Ambassador, Nigeria
[Zoom]
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WAPNIG — VIP MPs Room — Friday, May 15, 2026
09:00–11:30 – AI Governance and Regulation for Parliamentarians (Workshop)
Chantal Nyirabaruta – Programme Coordinator, Emerging Technologies & AI, Smart Africa
[Zoom]
12:45–13:55 – Implementation Lab (Workshop)
Mariam Jobe – Parliamentary Track Coordinator, WAIGF Secretariat
Joshua Joshua – Data Policy and Regulation Advisor, GIZ / African Union
[Zoom]
15:00–16:00 – WAPNIG Collaborative Strategy Workshop (Workshop)
[Zoom]
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