Table of Contents
This document outlines the official charter of the African Internet Governance Forum (AfIGF). Developed by the AfIGF Charter Working Group and subsequently reviewed by a dedicated Task Force created at the Global IGF 2023 and adopted on 22 November 2024 , this text defines the organizational architecture, operational principles, and institutional relationships that govern the forum.
Key Sections Covered: #
- Core Principles & Objectives: Details the forum’s foundational commitment to being open, multi-stakeholder, transparent, language-diverse, and free of charge , while ensuring Africa’s interests and voices are well-formulated and represented at the global level.
- The Annual Forum: Establishes de facto membership for all citizens of African countries and details the operational framework for organizing the rotational, annual multi-stakeholder gathering.
- Multi-Stakeholder Advisory Group (MAG): Defines the composition, volunteer mandates, independent Nominating Committee (NomCom) selection criteria, and leadership responsibilities of the 22 voting members of the MAG.
- AfIGF Secretariat: Outlines the administrative responsibilities, budget management guidelines, and structural framework of the Secretariat, highlighting its hosting arrangement with the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) through 2025.
- Ecosystem Relationships: Formally maps out collaboration guidelines with critical ecosystem bodies, including sub-regional and national National and Regional Initiatives (NRIs) , the UN IGF Secretariat , the African Youth IGF , the Parliamentary Track , and the African School on Internet Governance (AfriSIG).
- Charter Amendment Process: Establishes a transparent and structured review framework, including mandatory voting majorities, required to propose and adopt future modifications to the charter.