By Raylenne Kambua As the Africa Internet Governance Forum (AfIGF) commemorates 20 years of dialogue and impact since the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) 2005, the conversations this year were grounded in reflection and action. With more than 62% of the African population still offline, the call to build inclusive, resilient, and sovereign digital systems persists. In his opening keynote at the AIGF, Dr. Mactar Seck, Chief of Section for Emerging Frontiers Technologies, Innovation, and Digital Transformation at UNECA, set the tone: “Africa is the least connected continent in the world… Yet, we lead in mobile money transactions, accounting for 74% of global activity. This proves we have the potential and now we must channel it into digital resilience and innovation.” Dr. Mactar underscored the paradox that defines Africa’s digital journey. Despite being at the forefront of financial tech innovation, particularly mobile money, the continent still grapples with foundational issues such as low connectivity, underrepresentation of local languages online, and limited youth-focused digital capacity-building and support. His rallying call? Build resilient digital public infrastructure (DPIs) Remove trade barriers within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Strengthen cybersecurity management Support private sector growth Continue engaging multi stakeholders in shaping Internet governance policies Equip Africa’s youth- who make up 42% of the world’s population with relevant digital competencies and support Dr. Mactar Seck- UNECA These priorities echoed in the remarks of Mr. Mohammed Hamis Abdula, Permanent Secretary at Tanzania’s Ministry of Communication and Information Technology. Framing the current era as a gateway between the 4th and 5th Industrial Revolutions, he reminded delegates that the speed of technological advancement through AI, robotics, IoT, drones, and big data, demands proactive governance. “We cannot ignore technologies considering their potential to transform all aspects of life. But transformation needs accommodative and impactful laws, policies,” he said. These priorities echoed in the remarks of Mr. Mohammed Hamis Abdula, Permanent Secretary at Tanzania’s Ministry of Communication and Information Technology. Framing the current era as a gateway between the 4th and 5th Industrial Revolutions, he reminded delegates that the speed of technological advancement through AI, robotics, IoT, drones, and big data, demands proactive governance. Tanzania, under President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s leadership, has made strategic moves towards a digital-first economy. The National Digital Economy Strategy and supporting legislative instruments ,including the National ICT Policy, the Cybercrimes Act, the Data Protection Act, and the E-Government Act , illustrate how governments can create enabling environments that safeguard innovation while promoting safe and inclusive tech ecosystems. Still, Mr. Abdula acknowledged that gender and digital disparities remain pressing concerns, calling on all stakeholders to collaborate in bridging the gaps that keep communities offline or underserved. Hon. Jerry William Silaha, Tanzania’s Minister for Communication and ICT, reinforced the fellow speakers sentiments and also celebrated the IGF’s 20-year milestone with a focus on future readiness. Hon. Jerry William Silaha, Tanzania’s Minister for Communication and ICT “We must reflect on our achievements and challenges and align our strategies with the Global Digital Compact.” Minister Silaha emphasized the importance of regional digital integration, citing Tanzania’s commitment to expanding mobile broadband infrastructure, now reaching up to 5G speeds for wide segments of the population. These investments are not only transforming connectivity in urban centers but are also empowering economies across neighboring countries. The AfIGF 2025 is a mirror reflecting both progress and the work that lies ahead. Across all sessions delegates were encouraged to shape Africa’s digital destiny with its people, languages, values, and innovation at the center.This means: Putting youth at the heart of digital transformation Creating digital literacy pipelines that don’t leave rural or marginalized populations behind Embedding inclusion in every policy, from cybersecurity to data governance Making Internet access not just a priority, but a right.    

By Raylenne Kambua On May 29, 2025, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, became the epicenter of a powerful youth-led digital revolution. Held as a pre-event to the 14th Africa Internet Governance Forum (AfIGF), the Africa Youth Internet Governance Forum Youth Track brought together energetic and passionate young delegates from over 40 African countries. The goal? To equip Gen Z and other young Africans with the knowledge, tools, and inspiration to shape digital policies and assert their rightful place in internet governance dialogues. The central theme resounded clearly-Youth must be at the heart of internet governance. As digital natives, young people navigate and build the online world daily, yet their voices are often underrepresented in the policy spaces shaping that very ecosystem. Stakeholders, including Members of Parliament (MPs), emphasized that empowering youth in digital spaces is a collective responsibility, not solely that of governments but a shared duty among civil society, the private sector, and youth themselves. The day kicked off with a session on Digital Identity & Borderless Opportunity, a workshop designed to demystify digital identity systems and their connection to economic opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Using real-life examples like Rwanda’s e-ID and Ghana’s mobile wallet interoperability, youth learned how secure digital IDs can unlock access to banking, healthcare, and even cross-border business. The session drove home a critical point: when youths understand their digital rights and identities, they gain power to transcend limitations and engage in Africa’s digital economy meaningfully. The African Youth brought to light pressing challenges faced in the digital space. The delegates from across the continent shared personal stories of losing access to their accounts without explanation, experiencing complete social media shutdowns during elections or protests, and facing repressive internet laws that stifled their ability to speak out or conduct online businesses. These experiences underscored a growing concern that content moderation, when applied without transparency or local context, often becomes a tool for silencing dissent and minority voices rather than protecting users. The sentiment that echoed clearly was that:         “Content moderation must not become a tool to silence minority voices.” Participants emphasized the urgent need for youth-inclusive digital policies and accountability from both governments and tech platforms. They called for clearer guidelines, better appeals processes, and a rights-based approach to content governance that protects freedom of expression while upholding digital safety. Kenyan Senator- Catherine Muyeka addressing the youths during the AfYIGF session One of the most impactful moments of the day came during the session Youth and MPs – Intergenerational Dialogue on Digital Governance. In a rare show of unity, young people sat face-to-face with parliamentarians from across Africa to candidly discuss their digital realities. In her comment, Kenyan Senator Catherine Muyeka reminded the attendees of their duty in shaping internet policies and procedures, “While laws must follow due legislative processes, youth engagement is key to crafting inclusive digital frameworks,” she affirmed.  MPs assured the young leaders that their concerns were heard and encouraged them to use formal channels to influence change. With the rapid digital transformation and the need to adopt digital identity systems in African countries, another important session explored how digital IDs, like Rwanda’s e-ID and Ghana’s mobile wallets can unlock cross-border opportunities under AfCFTA. While digital IDs promise access to services, trade, and mobility, challenges such as limited connectivity, lack of awareness, and exclusion from ID systems persist. Youth also voiced concerns about data privacy and the need for inclusive design. Despite these hurdles, the session emphasized that with the right support, digital IDs can be powerful tools for youth to thrive in Africa’s digital economy. The forum concluded with critical recommendations: Governments and stakeholders must invest in digital education Making tech and digital-focused courses free, accessible, and relevant. National digital strategies should reflect youth priorities, aspirations, amplify their innovations, and include them in decision-making processes. Most importantly, youth participation in governance must move beyond tokenism to genuine influence and co-creation As the Africa young IGF 2025 came to an end, the youth were reminded that they are responsible for the continent’s digital destiny. And they’re constantly  prepared to lead, not merely take part, as the culture in similar Youth IGF engagements. The Youth Track of the AfIGF serves as a platform to empower young people to engage meaningfully in Internet governance. Through targeted workshops, interactive sessions, and mentorship, it builds the capacity of Africa’s emerging digital leaders by equipping them with the tools, insights, and connections necessary to shape a more inclusive, open, and forward-looking digital future. It is a space where youth voices actively contribute to the development of internet policy and technology across the continent.

Gains And Reversals Of The Beijing Platforms For Action; 30 Years And Counting By Rachael Nakitare The 69th CSW held in New York from 10th to 21st March 2025, is the principal global intergovernmental body dedicated to promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. This year’s session was particularly significant as it took stoke of the milestones achieved and the challenges in the 30-year review and appraisal of the Beijing Platform for Action. Ms. Sima Bahous, Head of UN Women, cautioned that “misogyny is on the rise” at a time when females are bearing the brunt of multiple crises and conflict around the world. While there has been progress in advancing women’s rights, it is not fast nor far-reaching enough.” She said while emphasizing the need to include women in key decision making and peacebuilding roles. The International Association of Women in Radio and Television took particular attention to the section J of the Beijing Platform for Action; Section J1- increase the participation and access of women to expression and decision making in and through the media and new technologies of communication and Section J2- Promote a balanced and non-stereotypical portrayal of women in the media.  Section J is critical for all the other areas of concern” (BPFA) because it provides the mirror for society to evaluate performance, “said Ms Sheila Katzaman, the President of IAWRT USA Chapter. IAWRT hosted a side event that evaluated the “Section J of BPFA; Gains and Reversals.” Technology and participation Social media platforms have opened up unprecedented space for women’s voices to be heard. Ms. Racheal Nakitare shared highlights from   the report on the extend to which women in the media in Kenya have embraced technology”.  file:///C:/Users/Admin/Downloads/Final-Report-For-Women-Journalists%20(2).pdf The study, which was collaborative effort between IAWRT Kenya and Association of Progressive Communications (APC), uses a gender lens in analysing how digital tools and platforms have empowered women journalists to profile themselves, boost their visibility overcome cultural barriers and stereotypes while navigating the predominantly male media landscape. In shedding light on the intersection of gender and technology, the findings contribute to the ongoing conversation about the representation of women across media platforms and how these perceptions affect / impact development It was however noted that the liberation of the online spaces has come with challenges which include increased technology facilitated violence against women, disinformation/ misinformation and fake news. “Women journalists are under attack in the on-line spaces throughout the world, impacting negatively on participatory rights of women and therefore ending up with news that lacks women’s perspectives. Geopolitical events require women voices’ said Professor Olga Jurasz, Professor of Law at Open University in the United Kingdom and Director, Centre for protecting Women online. Technology and especially social media platforms have become powerful avenues of advocacy and mobilization especially by citizen journalists. The Genz demonstrations witnessed in Kenya in June 2024 were basically coordinated virtually using the social media.” Said Ms. Nakitare urged Journalists to embrace technology and use it to enhance their professional work, thus amplify the voices of women across the world. Down memory lane Birgitte Jallov, Director, Empower House based in Denmark attended the women’s conference held in Beijing meeting 30 years ago and shared her experience of the role of media as envisaged in the  women’s conferences held  in Mexico City in 1975, Copenhagen in 1980, and  Nairobi in 1985 where media was to catapulting all the other sectors of development. It was not until 1995 in  Beijing  that media was recognized as an entity in itself and so called for attention to women’s representation in and through the media “she said. Birgette has spent years setting up community radios across the world especially the global south and appreciates the importance and relevance of the radio as main source of information for the rural folk especially women and children.  She stressed the need to have women own the radios especially with the new technologies that allow smaller portable radios including online podcasts. The power of radio to rural communities cannot be overemphasized.” She noted. The meeting also noted the complete lack of progression on section J 2 where women are still portrayed in their stereotypical roles. Hawa Taylor, Global advocate for Youth empowerment and, former employee of the United Nations Communications department observed that much as the Global Communication department of the United Nations is headed by a woman, women are generally lacking in decision making positions. “We must take responsibility and ensure women in the media especially those who appear on Television and other visual platforms are seen and appreciated for the value they bring to the table rather than their physical appearance” she lamented. More inclusion Despite the fact that a record 5845 members of civil society attended the CSW69, many more were locked out due to the complexities of the visa application and issuance processes. Radi Ali, Youth officer from Syria decried the “discrimination against LGBTQ and the gruelling immigration processes.” Its location at the United Nations Headquarters presented significant barriers to participants who had registered to attend the conference. APC created a feedback board dubbed “Access Denied” which attracted various reactions from the public. Some of the suggestions that came through the feedback board included relocating the CSW venue to United Nations offices in countries with easier access by all participating parties. While adding their voices to suggestions for revitalization of the CSW, some youths proposed discussions shifting onto the digital space. The Secretary General’s priority sessions for the next four years will include transferring caregiving systems, advancing gender equality, accelerating the implementation of agenda 2030 and strengthening women access to justice.  This calls for deliberate and direct participation of women within the civil society, the engine that drives CSW forward. IAWRT-KE Team Rachael Nakitare Panelists IAWRT Panelists Nakitare presenting Plenary Plenary