Digital Policy & Internet Governance
Shaping the policies, institutions and decisions that define Africa's digital future.
Shaping Africa's Digital Future
The Internet has become essential infrastructure for modern life. It influences how people communicate, learn, work, trade, access public services, participate in democracy and exercise their rights.
As digital technologies become increasingly embedded in society and the economy, the policies and institutions governing them have become equally important.
WAICTANet works to strengthen inclusive, evidence-based and human-centered digital policy and Internet governance across Liberia, the Mano River Union and West Africa.
We bring together governments, regulators, businesses, civil society, academia, technical communities, youth and other stakeholders to examine the opportunities and challenges created by digital transformation.
The Digital Policy Environment Is Changing
Countries across Africa are simultaneously addressing connectivity, data governance, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, digital public infrastructure, digital rights and emerging technologies.
Digital Connectivity
Connectivity, affordability and meaningful access to the Internet.
Data & Privacy
Data protection, privacy, data governance and cross-border data flows.
Artificial Intelligence
Responsible AI, ethics, accountability and emerging technology governance.
Cybersecurity
Cyber resilience, security policy and protection of digital infrastructure.
Digital Economy
Fintech, digital payments, e-commerce, digital jobs and innovation.
Digital Rights
Freedom of expression, privacy, access to information and online freedoms.
Inclusive. Open. Secure. Rights-Respecting.
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 We Stand For
From Dialogue to Policy to Action
WAICTANet's approach goes beyond organizing conversations. We connect evidence, participation, policy development, capacity building and implementation toward practical outcomes.
Our Policy & Governance Pathway
Internet Governance
We promote the multistakeholder model of Internet governance, bringing diverse stakeholders into conversations about the future of the Internet.
- National Internet Governance Forums
- Regional Internet Governance Forums
- Youth Internet Governance
- Stakeholder consultations
- Governance capacity building
- Policy dialogue
- Global IGF participation
- Regional knowledge exchange
Digital Policy Research
Good digital policy requires evidence. WAICTANet develops and supports research addressing emerging digital policy questions across Liberia, the MRU and West Africa.
- Digital economy policy
- Internet access & affordability
- Data governance
- AI policy
- Digital identity
- Cybersecurity governance
- Digital financial services
- Digital public infrastructure
- Platform governance
- Online rights
- Digital trade
- Emerging technology
Digital Inclusion & Meaningful Connectivity
Connectivity alone does not guarantee meaningful participation in the digital economy.
WAICTANet examines the wider conditions required for meaningful connectivity and advocates for policies that move countries beyond simply measuring who is connected.
- Affordability
- Availability
- Digital skills
- Relevant content
- Accessibility
- Quality of service
- Devices
- Digital literacy
- Gender inclusion
- Rural communities
Data Governance & Digital Rights
Data is one of the most important assets in the digital economy. WAICTANet works on the governance questions surrounding personal data, privacy, rights and responsible data use.
- Personal data
- Privacy
- Data protection
- Data sharing
- Data sovereignty
- Cross-border data flows
- Digital identity
- Data access
- Responsible data use
- Human rights online
MyData Liberia
A practical platform for advancing human-centered data governance and ensuring people have meaningful rights, agency and understanding over their data.
AI & Emerging Technology Governance
Artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are changing the policy environment. WAICTANet connects Internet governance with emerging technology governance.
- AI policy
- Responsible AI
- AI ethics
- Algorithmic accountability
- Digital identity
- Blockchain
- Internet of Things
- Quantum technologies
- Synthetic media
- Digital public infrastructure
Digital Economy & Transformation
Digital transformation is increasingly central to economic development. WAICTANet works with stakeholders on policies that support innovation, digital businesses, inclusion and regional markets.
Digital Entrepreneurship
Supporting policies and ecosystems that enable digital businesses and innovation.
Digital Payments
Promoting inclusive digital payment and financial ecosystems.
Fintech
Exploring policy opportunities around financial technology and inclusion.
Digital Public Services
Supporting digital transformation of government services.
Digital Jobs
Supporting policies that enable digital employment and workforce development.
Regional Digital Markets
Contributing to policy conversations around regional digital economic integration.
Digital Public Infrastructure & Internet Infrastructure
The development of digital public infrastructure is changing how governments deliver services.
- Digital identity
- Digital payments
- Data exchange
- Digital authentication
- Government platforms
- Interoperable systems
- Open standards
Connecting Policy With the People Who Build the Internet
Policy cannot be separated from the technical foundations of the Internet.
WAICTANet supports stronger engagement between policymakers and the technical community through initiatives such as the Liberia Network Operators Group (LBRNOG).
- DNS
- IPv6
- Routing security
- Internet exchange
- Network resilience
- Universal Acceptance
- Local Internet traffic
- Infrastructure development
- Network operator capacity
Youth & Internet Governance
Young people should not simply inherit digital policies developed by others. They should participate in developing them.
- Youth IGF initiatives
- Policy fellowships
- Digital leadership
- Policy research
- Mentorship
- Global participation
Gender & Inclusive Digital Governance
Digital policy can reproduce existing inequalities if people affected by policy are excluded from policymaking.
- Women
- Youth
- Persons with disabilities
- Rural communities
- Civil society
- Local innovators
- Marginalized communities
Digital Rights & Online Freedoms
An open digital society requires respect for fundamental rights.
- Freedom of expression
- Access to information
- Privacy
- Digital identity
- Online safety
- Platform governance
- Surveillance
- Encryption
- Internet shutdowns
- Digital discrimination
Digital Policy Capacity Building
Strong policy requires people who understand both technology and governance. Through the WAICTANet Academy, we support capacity development across sectors.
Who We Support
- Policymakers
- Regulators
- Government officials
- Legislators
- Journalists
- Researchers
- Civil society
- Youth leaders
- Technology professionals
- Entrepreneurs
Training Areas
- Internet Governance
- Digital Policy
- AI Governance
- Data Governance
- Cyber Policy
- Digital Rights
- Digital Economy
- Digital Diplomacy
Our Objective
Develop institutions and professionals capable of understanding emerging technologies, evaluating policy choices and contributing to effective digital governance.
Our Areas of Work
Internet Governance
National and regional IGFs, stakeholder dialogue and capacity building.
Policy Research
Research papers, policy briefs, assessments and recommendations.
Digital Inclusion
Policy advocacy for meaningful and affordable connectivity.
Data Governance
Privacy, data protection, data rights and responsible data use.
AI Governance
Responsible AI and emerging technology policy.
Digital Economy
Fintech, digital payments, entrepreneurship and digital transformation.
Digital Public Infrastructure
Identity, payments, data exchange and interoperability.
Technical Community
Engagement with network operators and Internet infrastructure stakeholders.
Youth Participation
Youth IGFs, fellowships, training and policy engagement.
Digital Rights
Rights-based approaches to digital governance.
Regional Cooperation
MRU and West African policy dialogue.
Global Engagement
Connecting African stakeholders with global digital governance processes.
Platforms for Digital Policy & Governance
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-centered data governance initiative focused on personal data, privacy, rights and public understanding.
Liberia Network Operators Group
A technical community initiative supporting collaboration and knowledge exchange among network operators and Internet infrastructure professionals.
West Africa Digital & Financial Inclusion Roundtable
A regional policy platform examining the relationship between digital transformation, financial inclusion, fintech and economic opportunity.
Liberia → Mano River Union → West Africa
Liberia
Building stronger national capacity for inclusive digital policy, Internet governance and stakeholder participation.
Mano River Union
Liberia | Sierra Leone | Guinea | Côte d'Ivoire
Addressing shared challenges such as cybercrime, cross-border data, digital trade, connectivity, payments and regional digital markets.
West Africa
Contributing to wider regional policy conversations around connectivity, digital economy, data governance, emerging technology and e-government.
From Local Voices to Global Policy
One of WAICTANet's distinctive roles is connecting local and regional experiences with global digital governance processes.
We help create pathways for stakeholders from Liberia and West Africa to participate in international conversations.
- Internet Governance Forum
- Global Digital Compact
- African Union digital policy
- ECOWAS digital policy
- ICANN
- Internet technical community
- Regional policy networks
- International policy networks
Evidence to Action
Measuring More Than Events
WAICTANet will evaluate whether its digital policy and Internet governance work is producing meaningful participation, stronger capacity and greater policy influence.
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 processes?
Building a Digital Policy Knowledge Hub
This program is designed to become one of the strongest sources of WAICTANet's institutional knowledge.
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 young professionals and emerging policy leaders for national, regional and global Internet governance.
Digital Policy Leadership Program
An executive program for policymakers, regulators and senior institutional leaders.
Digital Governance Index
An annual assessment measuring progress across connectivity, rights, data governance, cybersecurity, AI governance, inclusion and stakeholder participation.
Who We Work With
The Internet cannot be effectively governed by one sector alone. Our work therefore brings together stakeholders from across the digital ecosystem.
Partner With WAICTANet
WAICTANet welcomes partnerships that strengthen inclusive digital policy and Internet governance in Africa.
Local knowledge. Regional cooperation. Global participation.
WAICTANet believes West Africa should not simply implement digital policies developed elsewhere. The region must have the capacity, institutions, evidence and voices necessary to shape the policies that define its own digital future.
