Africa Internet Governance Forum 2021: Full Schedule

Welcome to the 2021 African Internet Governance Forum! The conference happened on the 14th - 16th of December 2021 and recordings of each session are available for you to explore and enjoy anytime. Contact us: info@afigf.africa.

Theme: Advancing digital transformation in Africa in the face of Crisis

10:15 GMT

#W12 Covid19, Digital Rights and Impacts on Communities in Africa. | Covid19, Droits numériques et impacts sur les communautés en Afrique

Tuesday December 14, 2021 10:15 - 10:30 GMT
Room 3

Break Session

Host Organization IGF Camaeroon

10:15 GMT

#W1 Advancing digital transformation in the Africa Region via applying UNESCO’s Internet Universality ROAM Principles and Indicators | Faire progresser la transformation numérique dans la région Afrique en appliquant les principes et indicateurs ROAM d'un

Through this session, jointly organized by UNESCO HQs and the African ICT Foundation, UNESCO seeks to engage in an extensive partnership with the African Internet Governance Forum community via the newly launched Dynamic Coalition of IUIs, so as to join forces for advancing evidence-based policy making of Internet governance and fostering digital collaboration in line with UN SG’s roadmap of digital cooperation.

Moderators

Dr Kossi AMESSINOU

Directeur régional, Fondation africaine pour les TIC

AMESSINOU Kossi est fonctionnaire de l’Etat béninois. Il est aussi l’actuel Directeur Régional pour l’Afrique de l’Ouest à la Fondation Africaine des TIC. Il est Docteur en Sciences de l’Information et de la Communication. Il est aussi titulaire d’un Master International... Read More →

Speakers

Xianhong Hu

Programme Specialist, UNESCO

Dr. Xianhong Hu, UNESCO’s Programme Specialist at the Sector of Communication and Information since 2006. Her expertise and responsibilities are in the areas of freedom of expression, privacy, journalism, media development, Internet governance and AI policies. She has followed the... Read More →

Dorothy Gordon

UNESCO

Tuesday December 14, 2021 10:15 - 11:15 GMT
Room 1

Break Session

Host Organization African ICT Foundation

10:15 GMT

#W2 How Blockchain will Provide a Level Playing Field for Africa and financial Inclusion for Millions of Africans | Comment la blockchain offrira des règles du jeu équitables pour l'Afrique et l'inclusion financière pour des millions d'Africains

How Blockchain will Provide a Level Playing Field for Africa and financial Inclusion for Millions of Africans; Description: Explore how Blockchain technology can financially transform and lead to financial inclusion for most of the unbanked and underbanked population of Africa. Consider how Africa can leapfrog and thrive in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Description / Summary of issues to be addressed:

John Okoro - Introduction to blockchain, the potential for African Financial Inclusion, and leapfrogging the current financial system for a prosperous and wealthy Africa.
Deidra McIntyre - Connecting Africa with African Americans using the blockchain as a vehicle for financial inclusion.
Jones Lukose - Africa primed and ready for blockchain technology as a continent, facts and figures (mobile, internet, and technology penetration).
Ian Balina - Using Blockchain as an investment vehicle, and finding the best value in cryptocurrency token investing.

Topic presentations will be followed by a Q&A discussion segment with audience participation.

Moderators

John Okoro

Director, Auspicious Agile and Blockchain Pte Ltd

Speakers

Deidra McIntyre

Founder, Black People and Cryptocurrency

Ian Balina

Founder, Token Metrics

Dr Jones Lukose

Chairman, MindflixMedia

Jones is the Chairman of the Motivat Group of Companies that include iMotivat Solutions, MindflixMedia and Motivat School. He is also a co-founder of WealthFest Africa. Dr Lukose brings on a wealth of talent and 20+ years of experience in enabling IT in businesses world-wide. Through... Read More →

Tuesday December 14, 2021 10:15 - 11:15 GMT
Room 2

Break Session

10:15 GMT

#W5 A Decision Framework for Regulating Encryption | Un cadre décisionnel pour réguler le chiffrement

Speakers

Zoe Tilsiter

Cyber Analyst, Darktrace, Ltd.

Cyber Analyst - DarktraceMasters in Public Administration - University College London (UCL) STEaPPCyber Security Analyst Intern - UK Department for Digital, Culture, Media and SportBA in Geography - Durham UniversityDurham University Charities Committee and Save The Children Campaign... Read More →

Kirthika Selvakumar

Commonwealth Secretariat

Researcher on Economics and Internetional Trade Policy - Commonwealth SecretariatMSc and Masters in Public Administration - University College London (UCL) STEaPPMSc in Economics and Politics - University of BristolLanguages: English, Tamil and Spanish

Adeola Akinla

Central Bank of Nigeria

Senior IT Adviser - Central Bank of NigeriaMasters in Public Administration - University College London (UCL) STEaPPSenior Associate, IT Advisory Services - KPMG NigeriaBSc in Computer Science - University of Lagos

Tuesday December 14, 2021 10:15 - 11:15 GMT
Room 5

Break Session

Host Organization Internet Society

11:30 GMT

#W13 The role of ccTLDs in sustainable National Internet Governance initiatives. | Le rôle des ccTLD dans les initiatives nationales durables de gouvernance de l'Internet

Tuesday December 14, 2021 11:30 - 11:45 GMT
Room 3

Break Session

Host Organization AfTLD

11:30 GMT

#W10 Cross-border Digital Policies for Africa | Politiques numériques transfrontalières pour l'Afrique

Feedback Survey

Moderators

Tracy Sinkamba Faustin

International Research & Project Management Coordinator, Internet & Jurisdiction Policy Network

Tracy Sinkamba Faustin is the International Project and Research Management Coordinator of the Secretariat of the Internet & Jurisdiction Policy Network. She is passionate about creating connections, networks and building relationships and has extensive professional experience at... Read More →

Speakers

Caroline Mbugua

Senior Policy Manager Sub Saharan Africa, GSMA

Caroline Mbugua is Senior Policy Manager Sub Saharan Africa at the GSMA, she recently received Head of State Commendation from the president of the republic of Kenya in recognition of her contribution in shaping ICT policy in Kenya. At the GSMA, she is responsible for developing... Read More →

Nashilongo Gervasius

Research Fellow, Datasphere Initiative Internet &Jurisdiction Policy Network

Nashilongo Gervasius is a Policy Researcher and Media and Communication trainer and practitioner with a specific interest in Technology Policy, Data Justice, Inclusion, Governance and Development. She is the founding President of the Internet Society Namibia Chapter and is an Advisor... Read More →

Lorrayne Porciuncula

Co-founder and Executive Director, Datasphere Initiative at the Internet & Jurisdiction Policy Network

Lorrayne Porciuncula leads the Datasphere Initiative, incubated and catalyzed by the Internet &Jurisdiction Policy Network. Her professional and academic experience has been focused on issues around data, Internet governance, infrastructure regulation and communication policy. Prior... Read More →

Shamira Ahmed

Senior Economist, Research ICT Africa

Shamira is a seasoned trade and development economist. She has a versatile skill set and broad research expertise,which she gained from working as a research consultant at a multinational consultancy firm, as a trade economist in the public sector, and in her current role as senior... Read More →

Tapiwa Ronald Cheuka

Trade Policy Officer, African Union Commission

Tapiwa Cheuka is a Trade Policy Officer at the African Union Commission. He leads digital economy issues under the Department of Economic Development, Trade, Industry and Mining. Tapiwa is an economist by training with a focus on international trade. His current focus areas also include... Read More →

Tuesday December 14, 2021 11:30 - 12:30 GMT
Room 5

Break Session

Host Organization Internet & Jurisdiction Policy Network

11:30 GMT

#W6 Barriers and opportunities: The state of Internet access and affordability in African countries during the COVID-19 pandemic | Obstacles et opportunités : l'état de l'accès à Internet et son abordabilité dans les pays africains pendant la pandémie de

Digital taxes. Internet shutdowns. Infrastructure gap. Digital gender divide. Urban-rural digital divide. All of these challenges pose barriers to Internet access in many African countries. However, African countries not only face challenges of access but many are also unable to afford such access. Today in African countries, Internet access is expensive, and where it is available, governments restrict it through arbitrary regulations and policies. As the COVID-19 pandemic hits, these restrictions become more pronounced with the increased
dependence on Internet services. The objective of this session is then, to examine these barriers and crowdsource ideas on how to ensure a more affordable internet going forward. Some discussion points include: what role can regional human rights institutions play in ensuring more access and affordability of Internet services during the pandemic? Do private sector actors play any significant role? How can policies for affordable Internet translate to enforcement and implementation on the ground in African countries?

Moderators

Tomiwa Ilori

Researcher, Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria

I'm keen on conversations that link international human rights law on ICTs and emerging tech to national human rights policies and am also interested in how digital technologies impact human rights and democratic development in Africa and across the globe.

Speakers

Juliet Nanfunka

Researcher, Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa

Juliet Nanfuka is interested in the intersection of society, policy and technology.

Arsène Tungali

Executive Director, Rudi International

Arsene Tungali has been working and collaborating for the past 7 years on projects related to Internet governance, and other Internet policy issues. He has either conducted or supported research projects, documenting violations happening online such as Internet shutdowns, censorship... Read More →

Robert Nkwangu

Executive Director, UNAD, Disability Inclusion Specialist

Robert Nkwangu is a specialist in Social Sector Planning and Management and holds a Master’s Degree in this area. He holds additional post graduate qualifications from different institutions in Sweden, America and Switzerland. He is a person with disability (Deaf) and has for over... Read More →

Tapiwa Chinembiri

Researcher, Research ICT Africa

Tuesday December 14, 2021 11:30 - 12:30 GMT
Room 1

Break Session

Host Organization Small Media

11:30 GMT

#W7 Building a better Internet for Africa | Construire un meilleur Internet pour l'Afrique

Moderators

Dawit Bekele

Regional Vice President-Africa, Internet Society

Dr. Dawit Bekele is the Regional Vice President-Africa of the Internet Society, anan organization that works for an open, globally connected, and secure Internet for everyone.Dr. Dawit is an Ethiopian citizen living in Addis Ababa. He received undergraduate, Mastersand Ph.D. degrees... Read More →

Speakers

Verengai Mabika

Senior Policy Advisor - Africa, Internet Society

I joined the Internet Society as Senior Policy Advisor for Africa. In this role I provide expert and policy advice to the several projects. I work very closely with the External and Community Engagement teams in improving and maintaining our relations with regional partners such as... Read More →

Josephine Miliza

She is currently the Africa regional coordinator for the Association of Progressive Communication-LOCNET project hosted by KICTANET. The LOCNET project focuses on creating an enabling environment for the growth of sustainable and scalable community networks.In 2016, Josephine has... Read More →

Kgopotso Magoro

Mamaila Community Network

Kgopotso Ditshego Magoro is a PhD student in Interdisciplinary Digital Knowledge Economy Studies at the University of the Witwatersrand. Her doctoral research focuses on cultural knowledge systems, practices and processes of rural communities as the foundation for culturally embedded... Read More →

Dieudonné Ishara MUNGANGA

Dieudonné Ishara MUNGANGA, a Research Engineer constantly focused on applying Software Engineering to Internet Measurement topics in order to provide insights on the peculiarities of Africa’s Internet by highlighting the continent’s connectivity gaps and inequity. Through an... Read More →

Tuesday December 14, 2021 11:30 - 12:30 GMT
Room 2

Break Session

Host Organization Internet Society

11:30 GMT

#W9 Policy initiatives to support interoperability of Digital IDs in Africa. | Initiatives politiques pour soutenir l'interopérabilité des identifiants numériques en Afrique.

Tuesday December 14, 2021 11:30 - 12:30 GMT
Room 4

Break Session

Host Organization Lawyers Hub Kenya

09:30 GMT

Opening Ceremony | Cérémonie d’ouverture

Moderators

Koliwe Majama

AfDec Coordinator, Association for Progressive Communication

Koliwe Majama is a Zimbabwean Media, Information, Communications and Technologies consultant with over 15 years’ experience working in civil society lobby and advocacy. As a Master in Public Policy and Governance, Koliwe is invested in research, strategy and thought leadership on... Read More →

Speakers

Mary Uduma

Chairperson, AFIGF

I coordinate the West Africa Internet Governance Forum and ensure actionable outcomes of the processes. I am passionate about the accessibility, availability, and affordability of the Internet in my region, Africa. I am interested in the Internet for Sustainable Development including... Read More →

H.E. Vera Songwe

Executive Secretary, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa

Hon. Felix Mutati

Minister of Technology and Science, Zambia

Hon. Felix Mutati is Zambia's first Minister of Technology and Science. He has been entrusted with paving the way for digital transformation and broad based adoption of technology and science in the country. He was previously the Minister of Finance, an accountant by profession and... Read More →

H.E Huria Ali Mahdi

State Minister to the National ICT and Digital Economy Sector at the FDRE Ministry of Innovation and Technology, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia

Mrs Huria Ali Mahdi is currently serving as State Minister to the National ICT and Digital Economy Sector at the FDRE Ministry of Innovation and Technology since October 6, 2021. Before her current assignment, H.E has served at the Ministry of Education as a State Minster for the... Read More →

Wednesday December 15, 2021 09:30 - 10:00 GMT
Plenary Room

Opening Session

10:15 GMT

High Level Panel on Advancing digital transformation in Africa in the face of Crisis. | Panel de haut niveau sur l'avancement de la transformation numérique en Afrique face à la crise

Moderators

Dawit Bekele

Regional Vice President-Africa, Internet Society

Speakers

Hon Neema Lugangira

Member of Parliament, Tanzania

Hon. Neema Lugangira is a Member of Parliament in Tanzania since November 2021 whose main areas of focus within the context of social and economic development are Nutrition, Internet Governance, WASH, Health and Child Support; all of which aims to transform community livelihoods in... Read More →

Lily Edinam

Community Engagement, Hacklab Foundation

Jean-Paul Adam

Director, Technology, Climate Change and Natural Resource Management Division, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa

Prof Clement Dzidonu

President, Accra Institute of Technology (AIT)

Wednesday December 15, 2021 10:15 - 11:45 GMT
Plenary Room

Plenary Session

12:00 GMT

#P1 Internet that works for all. | Internet qui fonctionne pour tous

Moderators

Bernard Ewah

Deputy Director, e-Government Development and Regulation, National Information Technology Development Agency

Speakers

Bunmi Durowoju

Snr, Business Development Manager AI and Intelligent Cloud, Global BDSV, Microsoft

Ines Hfaeidh

Tunisia Coordinator, Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN)/ Africa Open Data and Internet Research Foundation

Wednesday December 15, 2021 12:00 - 13:00 GMT
Plenary Room

Plenary Session

08:00 GMT

#P2 Protecting Africa’s Digital Assets. | Protéger les actifs numériques de l'Afrique

Moderators

Dr Laban Bagui

C3SA/UCT Department of Information Systems

Dr Laban Bagui is a postdoctoral fellow with the C3SA/UCT Department of Information Systems. He is a social entrepreneur, development and civic technology researcher, and a learning facilitator. Laban has worked for various industries including Higher Education, Internet Service Providers... Read More →

Speakers

Dr. Nnenna Ifeanyi-Ajufo

Associate Professor of Law-Head of Law, Buckinghamshire New University

Dr. Nnenna Ifeanyi-Ajufo is an Associate Professor of Law, and the Head of Law at Buckinghamshire New University, United Kingdom. Her teaching and research interests relate to the intersection of law and technology, including the governance of emerging technologies, cybercrime... Read More →

Elizabeth Orembo

Global Cyber Security Capacity Centre, University of Oxford

Dr Martin Koyabe

Lead AU-GFCE Collaboration Project, Global Forum on Cyber Expertise (GFCE)

Martin has over 25 years of experience working on ICT deployment, innovation, research and development, policy, regulation, and legislation. Prior to joining the Global Forum on Cyber Expertise (GFCE) to lead the AU-GFCE Collaboration Project, he was the Head of Technical Support... Read More →

Thursday December 16, 2021 08:00 - 09:30 GMT
Plenary Room

Plenary Session