Digital Policy & Internet Governance
Building a West Africa where digital policies and Internet governance systems are inclusive, open, secure, rights-respecting, evidence-based, locally relevant and globally connected.
Shaping Africa's Digital Future
Digital transformation is changing how people communicate, work, learn, trade and access public services.
But technology does not automatically create inclusive outcomes. The policies, regulations institutions and governance systems surrounding technology determine who benefits, who is protected and who gets left behind.
WAICTANet works at this intersection, connecting research, dialogue, participation, policy, capacity building and implementation.
A More Inclusive Digital Governance Ecosystem
A West Africa where digital policies and Internet governance systems are inclusive, open, secure, rights-respecting, evidence-based, locally relevant and globally connected.
We believe digital governance should not be designed only for technology experts. The people affected by digital policies should have meaningful opportunities to participate in shaping them.
What Good Digital Governance Should Be
Inclusive
Open
Secure
Rights-Respecting
Evidence-Based
Globally Connected
From Dialogue to Policy to Action
WAICTANet's approach goes beyond organizing conversations. We connect evidence, participation and policy with practical implementation and accountability.
Our Digital Policy & Governance Work
Our work covers the major policy and governance questions shaping the digital future of Liberia, the Mano River Union and West Africa.
Internet Governance
Promoting multistakeholder participation in discussions about the future of the Internet.
- National IGFs
- Regional IGFs
- Youth Internet Governance
- Stakeholder consultations
- Global IGF participation
Digital Policy Research
Developing evidence and practical policy options for emerging digital issues.
- Digital economy policy
- AI policy
- Data governance
- Digital identity
- Cybersecurity governance
Meaningful Connectivity
Advocating for digital access that goes beyond simply measuring whether someone is connected.
- Affordability
- Availability
- Digital skills
- Devices
- Accessibility
Data Governance
Advancing human-centred approaches to data, privacy and digital rights.
- Personal data
- Privacy
- Data protection
- Cross-border data
- Digital identity
AI & Emerging Technology
Supporting responsible governance of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.
- AI governance
- Responsible AI
- Emerging technologies
- AI policy
- Technology regulation
Digital Rights
Promoting an open digital society that respects fundamental rights and freedoms.
- Freedom of expression
- Privacy
- Access to information
- Digital identity
- Online safety
Digital Economy
Connecting digital policy with economic opportunity and regional transformation.
- Fintech
- Digital payments
- Entrepreneurship
- Digital transformation
- Digital trade
Digital Public Infrastructure
Supporting policy dialogue around the systems that enable digital public services.
- Digital identity
- Payments
- Data exchange
- Interoperability
Youth Participation
Creating pathways for young people to participate in digital policy and governance.
- Youth IGFs
- Fellowships
- Training
- Policy engagement
Data Governance & Digital Rights
Data is one of the most important assets in the digital economy. WAICTANet works on the governance questions surrounding data while placing people, rights and trust at the centre.
- Personal data
- Privacy
- Data protection
- Data sharing
- Data sovereignty
- Cross-border data flows
- Digital identity
- Data access
- Responsible data use
- Human rights online
AI & Emerging Technology Governance
Artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are changing the policy environment. WAICTANet seeks to ensure that African perspectives are represented in discussions around responsible technology governance.
- AI governance
- Responsible AI
- AI policy
- Emerging technology
- Digital ethics
- Data governance
Who Should Have a Voice?
Digital policy can reproduce existing inequalities when people affected by policy are excluded from policymaking.
Building Digital Policy Capacity
Strong digital policy requires people who understand both technology and governance.
Through the WAICTANet Academy, capacity development can support policymakers, regulators, government officials, legislators, journalists, researchers, civil society, youth leaders, technology professionals and entrepreneurs.
- Internet Governance
- Digital Policy
- AI Governance
- Data Governance
- Cyber Policy
- Digital Rights
- Digital Economy
- Digital Diplomacy
From Community Voices to Policy Impact
Listen
Engage communities and stakeholders to identify real-world digital challenges.
Research
Gather evidence, analyze policy gaps and document emerging issues.
Convene
Bring government, business, civil society, academia and technical communities together.
Develop
Translate evidence and stakeholder perspectives into policy recommendations.
Engage
Connect recommendations with decision-makers and relevant institutions.
Monitor
Track policy developments, implementation and emerging challenges.
Learn
Document lessons and feed them into future policy work.
Repeat
Continuous learning keeps policy work responsive to changing digital realities.
Platforms for Regional Action
Liberia Internet Governance Forum
A national multistakeholder platform bringing together stakeholders to discuss Liberia's Internet and digital policy priorities.
MRU Internet Governance Forum
A regional platform connecting stakeholders across the Mano River Union around shared digital challenges and opportunities.
Youth Internet Governance
Creating pathways for young people to participate in Internet governance and digital policy discussions.
MyData Liberia
A human-centred data governance initiative focused on personal data, privacy, rights and public understanding.
Liberia Network Operators Group
Supporting collaboration and knowledge exchange among network operators and Internet infrastructure professionals.
West Africa Digital & Financial Inclusion Roundtable
A regional policy platform examining digital transformation, financial inclusion, fintech and economic opportunity.
Liberia → MRU → West Africa → Global
Liberia
Building national capacity, strengthening multistakeholder dialogue and connecting local priorities with broader digital governance processes.
Mano River Union
Liberia | Sierra Leone | Guinea | Côte d'Ivoire
Addressing shared challenges including cybercrime, cross-border data, digital trade, connectivity, digital payments and regional digital markets.
West Africa
Connecting national priorities with regional conversations around digital economy, AI, data governance, e-government and stakeholder participation.
Connecting African Priorities With Global Governance
WAICTANet creates pathways for stakeholders from Liberia and West Africa to participate in national, regional and global digital governance processes.
- Internet Governance Forum
- Global Digital Compact
- African Union policy processes
- ECOWAS policy processes
- ICANN
- Regional policy networks
Measuring Participation, Influence & Capacity
Participation
Who participates in digital policy processes?
Diversity
Are women, youth, civil society, technical communities and underserved groups represented?
Knowledge
Are stakeholders developing stronger understanding of digital policy?
Policy Influence
Are recommendations reflected in policy discussions, strategies or regulations?
Capacity
Are policymakers and institutions better equipped to address digital issues?
Regional Cooperation
Are countries and stakeholders sharing knowledge and developing common approaches?
Global Participation
Are African stakeholders gaining greater representation in international digital governance?
A Growing Digital Policy Knowledge Hub
WAICTANet's digital policy programme is designed to become a strong source of institutional knowledge for Liberia, the MRU and wider West Africa.
Proposed Future Initiatives
West Africa Digital Policy Observatory
A regional platform tracking laws, policies, regulations and emerging digital governance developments.
MRU Digital Policy Lab
A collaborative research and policy innovation platform focused on shared digital challenges across the Mano River Union.
West Africa Internet Governance Fellowship
A competitive fellowship preparing emerging policy leaders for national, regional and global Internet governance.
Digital Policy Leadership Program
An executive programme for policymakers, regulators and senior institutional leaders.
Digital Governance Index
A proposed annual assessment covering connectivity, digital rights, data governance, cybersecurity, AI governance and digital inclusion.
Who We Work With
WAICTANet works across sectors to strengthen multistakeholder digital governance and policy development.
Help Shape Africa's Digital Future
Strong digital governance requires participation from every part of the ecosystem. Join WAICTANet in connecting local voices, regional priorities and global digital policy.
From local voices to global policy.
WAICTANet is committed to ensuring that African experiences, priorities and expertise are represented in the conversations that shape the future of the Internet and digital society.
