The Africa Youth Internet Governance Forum (Africa Youth IGF) is a continental collective Platform of young people in a dynamic and influential network dedicated to shaping and empowering Africa's digital future. With a diverse membership spanning the northern, eastern, southern, and western regions of the continent, this platform brings together over 200+ passionate young leaders from all 54 countries. Together, they channel their collective creativity and innovation to drive positive change and ensure a vibrant digital landscape across Africa. Under the banner of strong multistakeholderism and Internet Governance. 

As the continent undergoes rapid digital transformation, youth are at the heart of technological innovation, policy advocacy, and grassroots solutions. The African Union’s Agenda 2063 envisions a prosperous and digitally inclusive Africa, and its Digital Transformation Strategy (2020-2030) highlights the need for youth engagement to drive the continent’s digital future. However, persistent challenges such as unequal access to digital infrastructure, cybersecurity threats, limited digital literacy, and governance gaps continue to hinder Africa’s ability to maximize digital opportunities.

Young people, who constitute the majority of Africa’s population, must be equipped with the knowledge, tools, and networks to lead this transformation. The Africa Youth IGF provides a space where youth voices influence policy discussions and ensure that Africa’s digital policies are inclusive, ethical, and responsive to emerging challenges. This year’s theme, “Empowering Youth to Promote Africa’s Digital Future,” underscores the urgent need to strengthen youth-led digital solutions, increase capacity building, and advocate for equitable digital policies that align with the AU’s vision for a connected and prosperous Africa.

The Africa Youth IGF 2025 will explore the following topics: 

• Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and Data Governance
• Cybersecurity, Resilience, and Trust
• Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies
• Universal Access and Meaningful Connectivity
• Enhancing Digital Cooperation

• Promote meaningful youth participation in global digital governance: Bridge the gap between African youth and global policy forums to ensure their perspectives shape international digital policies.
• Drive sustainable and inclusive digital growth: Align Africa’s youth digital agenda with the AU’s broader vision for a resilient, inclusive, and innovation-driven economy.
• Address critical barriers facing African youth, such as limited access to digital skills, underrepresentation in governance, and inadequate funding and limited support for innovation, to ensure their full participation in the continent’s digital transformation.
• Strengthen the role of African youth in shaping policies that drive digital innovation and economic growth.

Roundtable, workshops, keynote speeches, an intergenerational dialogue and a networking session.

The forum welcomes a diverse set of participants, including but not limited to representatives of youth stakeholder bodies across Africa already involved in and/or having an interest in digital governance and digital policy. It is also open to all stakeholder groups, students and anyone with an interest in Internet governance issues. Senior stakeholders are also welcome to join and interact with the youth.

Number of participants: >100

• Stronger Youth Representation in Digital Governance – Increased youth participation in regional and global Internet governance processes, ensuring their voices shape key policy discussions.
• Youth Declaration on Global Digital Governance – A collective statement from African youth that outlines priorities for digital cooperation and governance, to be shared at the main Africa IGF, as well as with governments and global institutions, influencing processes such as the Global Digital Compact (GDC) implementation and the WSIS+20 review.
• Strengthened Collaborative Networks – Enhanced partnerships between youth-led organizations, policymakers, and international stakeholders to amplify African youth engagement in global digital governance and decision-making processes.

The Africa Youth IGF 2025 is a platform led by young people, for young people, to shape the future of Africa’s digital landscape. As Africa undergoes rapid digital transformation, it is important that youth are not only included in conversations but are also positioned as decision-makers, innovators, and leaders in digital governance.

This forum provides a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between young changemakers and key stakeholders, ensuring that youth voices drive policies that are inclusive, ethical, and future-ready. The discussions, collaborations, and commitments made during this gathering will help build a digital Africa that is resilient, fair, and accessible to all.

The Africa Youth IGF 2025 will not only inspire action but also create a ripple effect that influences digital policies across the continent and beyond, empowering young people with the knowledge, skills, and networks useful to navigate the digital policy landscape.

To learn more about the Africa IGF Youth Track, visit: https://igf.africa/youth-track/