Sierra Leone officially opened the 18th Edition of the West Africa Internet Governance Forum (WAIGF 2026) on Thursday, 14 May 2026, at the Miatta Conference Centre in Freetown, positioning the country at the center of regional discussions on internet governance, digital inclusion and emerging technologies.
The forum has brought together policymakers, regulators, private sector leaders, technical experts, civil society actors, youth representatives and development partners from across West Africa, with hundreds more joining virtually through online participation platforms.
Hosting WAIGF 2026 shows Sierra Leone’s growing leadership in regional digital policy conversations, particularly at a time when H.E President Julius Maada Bio serves as Chair of ECOWAS, reinforcing the country’s commitment to regional cooperation, integration and digital transformation across West Africa.
In her keynote address, the Minister of Communication, Technology and Innovation, Madam Salima Bah called for stronger regional cooperation in guiding West Africa’s digital future.
“We cannot continue to approach Africa’s digital future as individual countries solving isolated problems. The challenges of cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, data governance and digital inclusion require a coordinated regional response,” the Minister stated.
She further urged the region to become active contributors in the development of emerging technologies.
“We must not only consume artificial intelligence technologies developed elsewhere. Africa must participate in designing them, shaping them and ensuring that our languages, realities and priorities are reflected in the systems that will define the future,” she said.
The opening day also featured strategic workshops and policy discussions focused on internet governance, emerging technologies, connectivity, digital rights and regional cooperation, setting the tone for continued engagement throughout the five-day forum.
