2026 youth track

West Africa Youth Internet Governance Forum 2026

Freetown, Sierra Leone | 11–12 May 2026

The West Africa Youth Internet Governance Forum (WAYIG) is the official youth track of WAIGF 2026. It provides a structured and action-oriented space for young leaders, innovators, students, civil society actors and digital entrepreneurs across ECOWAS to engage directly with regional digital public policy priorities.

Purpose

Strengthen youth capacity for meaningful participation in digital governance and produce structured policy inputs feeding into WAIGF 2026 outcome documents.

Thematic Alignment

  • Platform accountability & economic justice
  • AI, data protection & online safety
  • Regional digital single market

Expected Outputs

  • Youth Outcome Statement
  • Policy recommendations
  • Regional cooperation proposals

Programme Architecture

  • Youth High-Level Dialogue
  • Interactive Policy Workshops
  • AI & Digital Safety Labs
  • Youth Innovation & Startup Sessions
  • Hybrid Participation & Regional Hubs