Geneva, Switzerland | 9 July 2026
The Africa ICT Alliance (AfICTA), in partnership with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) of Nigeria, successfully convened a high-level multistakeholder session at the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forum 2026 titled "WSIS+20 Outcome Document: Fostering Digital Transformation in Africa."
The session brought together representatives from government, international organizations, academia, civil society, and the technical community to examine how Africa can effectively implement the outcomes of the WSIS+20 Review and leverage digital technologies to accelerate sustainable development across the continent.
Moderated by Dr. Jimson Olufuye, Chair of the AfICTA Advisory Council, the session highlighted Africa's growing leadership in shaping global digital governance and translating international commitments into practical actions that benefit citizens, businesses, and communities.
A key highlight of the session was the presentation by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), which introduced the Africa 2035 Digital Implementation Roadmap. The roadmap provides a structured framework for translating the WSIS+20 Outcome Document, the Global Digital Compact (GDC), Agenda 2063, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into coordinated national and regional implementation efforts. The roadmap emphasizes harmonized reporting, measurable indicators, accountability mechanisms, and stronger regional cooperation to accelerate Africa's digital transformation.
Representing NITDA, Dr. Dimie Wariowei reaffirmed Nigeria's commitment to implementing the WSIS+20 Outcome Document and advancing digital transformation initiatives across Africa. He highlighted ongoing efforts in digital identity, digital infrastructure development, data protection, and the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) Programme, which seeks to equip millions of Nigerians with digital skills for the future economy.
The technical community, represented by Engr. Christiana Onoja, Co-Founder and CEO of SheCode.ai, emphasized the importance of accessible computing infrastructure, African language inclusion in artificial intelligence systems, and measurable implementation frameworks. She called for greater investment in data centres, AI infrastructure, and digital public infrastructure to ensure that Africa moves from being a consumer of digital technologies to a producer of innovation.
Civil society and academic representatives stressed the importance of inclusive digital transformation, particularly for women, girls, youth, and underserved communities. Discussions highlighted the need to expand digital literacy, AI skills development, connectivity, and economic opportunities while strengthening collaboration between academia, industry, and policymakers.
Speakers agreed that Africa's digital future will depend on moving beyond policy discussions to implementation, supported by harmonized indicators, sustainable financing, capacity development, and robust multistakeholder partnerships.
AfICTA's participation at WSIS Forum 2026 reflects its continued commitment to promoting multistakeholder digital cooperation and advancing Africa's digital development agenda. Through its engagement with governments, regional institutions, international organizations, the private sector, academia, and civil society, AfICTA continues to champion policies and initiatives that contribute to inclusive digital growth across the continent.
The WSIS Forum remains the world's leading multistakeholder platform for discussing information and communication technologies (ICTs) for development. The 2026 edition provided an important opportunity for African stakeholders to contribute to global digital governance discussions and showcase innovative approaches to achieving the WSIS vision, Agenda 2063, and the Sustainable Development Goals.
As Africa moves toward the implementation phase of the WSIS+20 Outcome Document, AfICTA remains committed to fostering collaboration, strengthening digital capacity, and supporting initiatives that ensure the promise of the digital age benefits all Africans.
