Exploring Africa’s Digital Governance Future at AfriSIG 2024.

In November 2024, HER Internet took part in the African School on Internet Governance (#AfriSIG2024), held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, organized by Association for Progressive Communications (APC). Mulungi Sanyu, Communications and Advocacy Lead at HER Internet, joined over 16 African countries’ participants including civil society, technical experts, government representatives, academia, the media, the private sector, and members of parliament, all coming together to discuss the digital governance challenges and opportunities facing Africa today.

AfriSIG 2024 focused on key themes, including the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (#ACFTA) and the African Union Data Privacy Framework (#AUDPF). These discussions examined how the frameworks intersect and the challenges of aligning the Digital Protocol with the AU Data Policy Framework. Participants collaborated on proposing practical strategies for better alignment and implementation.

Building Collaborative Engagement Through the Practicum

A highlight of AfriSIG 2024 was the practicum—an immersive, hands-on experience where participants practiced multi-stakeholder negotiations. This year’s practicum focused on aligning the objectives of ACFTA with the principles of AUDPF, providing a space for participants to explore solutions and build consensus on complex issues.

Mulungi Sanyu actively participated in the practicum, stepping outside of her usual role to take on new perspectives. This experience gave her a deeper understanding of the various viewpoints involved in digital governance policymaking and the complexities of reaching agreements. HER Internet’s contributions underscored the need for gender-sensitive data governance policies and the importance of ensuring that marginalized groups, such as structurally silenced womxn, are properly represented in discussions about digital rights.

A Vision for Africa’s Digital Future

AfriSIG 2024 highlighted the need for collective action to shape Africa’s digital governance landscape. The dynamic discussions and the expertise shared by the faculty emphasized the importance of working together to address the unique challenges the continent faces in the digital age. As Africa navigates the crossroads of trade, data privacy, and internet governance, HER Internet remains committed to advocating for policies and frameworks that ensure no one is left behind.