By Alvin Lansana Kargbo
The Ministry of Communication, Technology and Innovation officially opened the 18th Edition of the West Africa Internet Governance Forum (WAIGF 2026) on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at the Miatta Conference Centre, Youyi Building in Freetown.
The regional forum commenced following a series of engagements focused on digital governance, emerging technologies and youth inclusion across West Africa.
Ahead of the official opening, the West Africa School on Internet Governance was convened on May 11–12 at the Miatta Conference Centre. The program brought together fellows, experts and facilitators from across the region to deliberate on internet governance, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, digital cooperation, data governance and other emerging technologies.
The opening day featured four parallel workshops and strategic discussions addressing key issues influencing internet governance and digital transformation in West Africa. Organizers described the forum as a critical platform for policy dialogue, regional collaboration and cooperation on technology and digital development.
Speaking on behalf of Sierra Leone’s Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), Shadi Gerjawi, CEO of Africell, emphasized that digital sovereignty is fundamentally built on physical infrastructure.
He highlighted significant investments made by MNOs in telecommunications towers, fiber networks and last-mile connectivity; describing them as the foundation upon which digital initiatives depend. According to Shadi Gerjawi, countries with robust connectivity are better positioned to compete globally and safeguard their citizens.
The Africell CEO stressed that expanding connectivity to underserved communities requires sustained investment, supportive Government policies, targeted subsidies and investment-friendly regulatory structures. He noted that network expansion has accelerated in recent years while service prices have significantly declined.
Shadi Gerjawi emphasized that infrastructure alone is insufficient. He described MNOs as critical partners in digital literacy noting that operators engage millions of citizens daily and can collaborate with Governments and educators to equip young people with relevant digital skills.
He underscored the responsibility of MNOs to ensure secure and trustworthy networks that protect user data and promote safe digital experiences, particularly for vulnerable populations.
Looking ahead, Shadi Gerjawi identified mobile money as a proven financial inclusion model and called for deeper financial integration through credit, savings and insurance services. He urged continued regulatory partnership and innovation to unlock that potential and praised Sierra Leone’s leadership in hosting the forum.
At the ceremony, Amara Brewah, Director General of National Telecommunications Commission (NaTCA), emphasized that digital sovereignty should not be equated with isolation.
Instead, he framed it as strategic participation in the global digital economy on fairer terms, ensuring Africa maintains both voice and influence in shaping the future of the internet.
Amara Brewah reaffirmed NaTCA’s commitment to regional and international collaboration, highlighting four focus areas:
- Strengthening connectivity
- Advancing innovation
- Promoting inclusion
- Supporting economic growth
She called on the forum to move beyond dialogue and serve as a catalyst for coordinated regional action toward a secure, resilient and sovereign digital future for West Africa.
In her keynote address, the Minister of Communication, Technology and Innovation emphasized cybersecurity, regional integration and digital equity as central pillars of West Africa’s digital transformation.
The Minister stressed that no African country can tackle digital economy challenges alone. She advocated for aligned governance frameworks and a unified regional approach, envisioning a single digital market where entrepreneurs can seamlessly conduct cross-border e-commerce within the region.
Referencing the example of the European Union, she highlighted the benefits of collective movement as a bloc to strengthen smaller and larger economies alike.
The Minister called for innovative solutions to modern challenges, noting the region’s limited data center capacity relative to its population. On artificial intelligence, she urged West Africa to move beyond being consumers of AI technologies and instead co-design and influence them.
She proposed exploring regional collaboration models, including Data Embassy frameworks, to develop AI-enabled data centers and ensure local languages are reflected in global language models.
While commending mobile operators for expanding coverage, the Minister urged them to make internet data more affordable to ensure meaningful access.
Addressing global tech platforms such as Meta, she raised concerns about misinformation and deep-fakes. She called for increased investment in local content moderation, language-sensitive AI models and the hiring of local moderators to strengthen responsible platform governance.
The Minister also highlighted the monetization gap facing African content creators. Despite generating significant global engagement, many lack access to fair revenue opportunities. She called for mechanisms that ensure African creators can equitably benefit from their digital contributions.
As Chair of ECOWAS, Sierra Leone, she said, remains committed to collaborative progress in advancing the region’s digital agenda.
The five-day forum aims to generate actionable outcomes that advance internet governance, digital inclusion and innovation across West Africa.
In closing, the Minister welcomed delegates to experience Sierra Leone’s culture and hospitality, thanking sponsors, partners, the YAIJF Secretariat, ECOWAS and the organizing team for their contributions to the successful hosting of WAIGF 2026.
