Africa Internet Governance Forum 2025

The Africa Youth Internet Governance Forum (Africa Youth IGF) is a continental collective Platform of young people in a dynamic and influential network dedicated to shaping and empowering Africa's digital future. With a diverse membership spanning the northern, eastern, southern, and western regions of the continent, this platform brings together over 200+ passionate young leaders from all 54 countries. Together, they channel their collective creativity and innovation to drive positive change and ensure a vibrant digital landscape across Africa. Under the banner of strong multistakeholderism and Internet Governance.

As the continent undergoes rapid digital transformation, youth are at the heart of technological innovation, policy advocacy, and grassroots solutions. The African Union’s Agenda 2063 envisions a prosperous and digitally inclusive Africa, and its Digital Transformation Strategy (2020-2030) highlights the need for youth engagement to drive the continent’s digital future. However, persistent challenges such as unequal access to digital infrastructure, cybersecurity threats, limited digital literacy, and governance gaps continue to hinder Africa’s ability to maximize digital opportunities.

Young people, who constitute the majority of Africa’s population, must be equipped with the knowledge, tools, and networks to lead this transformation. The Africa Youth IGF provides a space where youth voices influence policy discussions and ensure that Africa’s digital policies are inclusive, ethical, and responsive to emerging challenges. This year’s theme, “Empowering Youth to Promote Africa’s Digital Future,” underscores the urgent need to strengthen youth-led digital solutions, increase capacity building, and advocate for equitable digital policies that align with the AU’s vision for a connected and prosperous Africa.

OBJECTIVES:
- Promote meaningful youth participation in global digital governance: Bridge the gap between African youth and global policy forums to ensure their perspectives shape international digital policies.
- Drive sustainable and inclusive digital growth: Align Africa’s youth digital agenda with the AU’s broader vision for a resilient, inclusive, and innovation-driven economy.
- Address critical barriers facing African youth, such as limited access to digital skills, underrepresentation in governance, and inadequate funding and limited support for innovation, to ensure their full participation in the continent’s digital transformation.
- Strengthen the role of African youth in shaping policies that drive digital innovation and economic growth.

TIME (UTC+3)| SESSION
09:00 - 09:30 | REGISTRATION
09:30 - 10:00 | Welcome Remarks
10:00 - 10:20 | Keynote / Goodwill Message
10:20 - 10:30 | Karibu IGF: Umoja wa Mitandao Yetu: Igniting Africa’s United Internet Journey
10:30 - 11:00 | TEA BREAK
11:00 - 12:00 | SESSION 1: Digital Identity & Borderless Opportunity: What Every African Youth Should Know About Digital IDs and the AfCFTA
12:00 - 13:00 | IGF 2025 YOUTH TRACK WS II - Content online moderation on Social media
13:00 - 14:00 | LUNCH BREAK
14:00 - 15:00 | SESSION 4: Youth and MPs: Intergenerational Dialogue on Digital Governance
15:00 - 15:30 | REFRESHER SPACE ( VIDEO PROJECTION) - COFFEE BREAK
15:30 - 16:30 | SESSION 3: BREAKOUT DISCUSSION
- TRACK I - Open Source & AI
- TRACK II - Digital Rights & Digital Inclusion
16:30 - 17:00 | Closing Ceremony - Road to Global IGF