IGF 2025 Parliamentary Track

[Parliamentary Track Opening] Opening of the West African IGF 2025 Parliamentary Track

• Opening by Chair of the ECOWAS Parliament ICT Committee
• Remarks by Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu, Chair of the Senate Committee on ICT & Cyber Security and Chair of the West African Parliamentary Network on Internet Governance (WAPNIG) 
• Remarks by Chengetai Masango, Head of the UN Internet Governance Forum (IGF) Secretariat (Online)
• Remarks by Mary Uduma, Coordinator of the West African IGF  (WAIGF) 

10:30 - 11:30

Main Hall

[WAIGF High Level Panel] Building an Inclusive, Resilient and Safe Digital Future

The WAIGF This high-level panel explores West Africa’s shared vision for a digital future that is resilient, inclusive, and secure. Anchored in global frameworks such as the Global Digital Compact (GDC) and WSIS+20, the session will examine how the region can harness digital technologies to drive sustainable development while addressing critical challenges like the digital divide, online safety, and equitable governance. 

[Parliamentary Session 1] Dialogue on Digital and Artificial Intelligence Governance in the Sub-Region

The WAIGF Parliamentary Track will start with a roundtable discussion amongst all Members of Parliament to explore the most pressing digital issues in the sub-region. Members of Parliaments will share insights of existing regulatory frameworks in their countries, as well as current trends and perspectives on legislation. Discussions will address the implications of AI on democracy, labor, data protection and inequality, as well as the risks of algorithmic bias and surveillance. The session will also examine the readiness of national legal frameworks to respond to emerging AI applications, and the need for regional cooperation in setting standards that refl ect African values and realities. As governments and institutions accelerate digital transformation, the session will explore the role of parliaments in developing responsive legislation, ensuring ethical AI use and the importance of aligning national frameworks with global standards.

The session will inform deliberations at the African and global IGF Parliamentary Track, held shortly after in Tanzania and Norway, respectively.

Speakers

• Tour de table of West African Members of Parliament
• Partners of the WAIGF Parliamentary Track

Moderator

• Sorina Teleanu, Director of Knowledge, DiploFoundation

[Parliamentary Session 2] Legislative Frameworks for Digital Development

This session will examine the role of African parliaments in crafting policies that drive digital transformation and technological growth. It will provide a platform for legislators, civil society representatives, and tech industry stakeholders to discuss challenges, opportunities, and strategies for fostering a dynamic and inclusive digital ecosystem. More precisely, the session will highlight current policies shaping Africa’s digital ecosystem, the impact of digital rights protection on economic and social progress, challenges in aligning regulatory frameworks with technological advancements, and explore a strengthened multistakeholder engagement in the policy-making process. 

Speakers

• ‘Gbenga Sesan, Executive Director, Paradigm Initiative 
• Hon. Adedeji Stanley Olajide, Chairman of the Committee on ICT and Cybersecurity, House of Representatives, Nigeria
• Hon. Lydia Lamisi Akanvariba, Minister of Public Sector Reforms, Ghana

Moderator

• Kadijah El-Usman, Senior Programmes Officer, Paradigm Initiative

Recap of Day 1 and Setting the Tone for the Day 

• Short summary and recap from Day–1, provided by Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu, Chair of the Senate Committee on ICT & Cyber Security and Chair of WAPNIG
• Short overview of Day-2 programme, provided by Mariam Jobe, WAPNIG Secretariat 
• Open Floor discussion on any pending questions and answers

[Parliamentary Session 3] Amplifying African Voices: The Role of Parliaments in Global Digital Governance Processes

Members of Parliament are key actors who can help implement global digital policies into local realities. Considering the regional discussions of the WAIGF Parliamentary Track from Day-1, this session will provide an overview of the global digital governance landscape, also inviting young leaders to the deliberation. It will explore how Members of Parliament can shape the global discourse, contribute to the implementation of international digital norms on a local level and collaborate with international partners.

Introduction

• Sorina Teleanu, Director of Knowledge, DiploFoundation

Speakers 

• Hon. Lydia Akvanbari, Member of Parliament, Ghana
• Jimson Olufuye, AfICTA Chairman 
• Adebiyi Oladipo, Financial Secretary of NIRA 
• Loveday Onyeanula, West Africa Youth IGF

Moderator 

• Sorina Teleanu, DiploFoundation

[Parliamentary Session 4] Drafting Session: Declaration on Digital Governance

The Secretariat and the West African IGF and the West African Parliamentary Network on Internet Governance will share inputs and outcomes resulting from the sub-regional Parliamentary Track discussions. Members of Parliament will be invited to work in clusters and contribute to the Parliamentary Declaration on Digital Governance in West Africa. This document, summarising key outcomes, priorities, and proposals for legislative action, will be shared with ECOWAS institutions, national governments, and development partners to support cohesive regional approaches.

Session Lead:

• Sorina Teleanu, Director of Knowledge, DiploFoundation
• Mariam Jobe, WAPNIG Secretariat 

[Parliamentary Session 5] West African IGF 2025 Parliamentary Track:  Review & Closing

• Presentation of session summaries
• Agreement on action points and parliamentary commitments
• Closing remarks by WAPNIG Chairman & Secretariat

• WAPNIG Secretariat (Benjamin Ikibah & Mariam Jobe)

09:30 - 09:45 

Studio N

[Opening]IGF Parliamentary Track: Welcome and introduction

Participants will be welcomed to the 7th IGF Parliamentary Track and the 20th IGF. The introductory remarks will inform attendees about how to best engage in IGF processes, as well as highlighting past achievements of the Parliamentary Track and showcasing what is to be expected at IGF 2025.

09:45 - 11:00

Studio N

[Parliamentary session 1] Digital deceit: The societal impact of online mis- and disinformation

Online mis- and disinformation has emerged as one of the most pressing societal challenges, with the potential to undermine trust in elections and deepen social polarization. This session will provide an overview of the current state of play and emerging trends, the mechanisms by which misleading content is propagated online, and the policy responses deployed around the world. It will bring together experts from civil society, the private sector, the media and the technology community to discuss successful approaches to building a healthy information ecosystem, as well as effective legislative responses.

11:30 - 13:00

Studio N

[Parliamentary session 2] Striking the balance: Upholding freedom of expression in the fight against cybercrime

As online criminal activities increase in scope and sophistication, efforts to combat cybercrime continue to evolve. Recent legislative initiatives in this area have focused on targeting misinformation and other misconduct online. However, laws on content regulation, surveillance and platform liability can pose serious risks to freedom of expression and access to information. Experts from the media, the private sector, law enforcement, and technical and intergovernmental organizations will provide a holistic view of this complex policy landscape and explore how policymakers can navigate the delicate balance between ensuring cybersecurity and upholding fundamental human rights, especially the right to freedom of expression.

13:00 - 14:00

14:00 - 15:30

Plenary Hall

[Parliamentary round table in the IGF plenary] Safeguarding democracy in the digital age: Legislative priorities and policy pathways

Citizens need to have confidence in the system and institutions of democracy, including electoral processes. However, trust is deteriorating with the rapid spread of misinformation through digital technologies. This session brings together legislators from all regions of the world to highlight risks undermining the integrity of democratic processes, to exchange good practices on strengthening institutional resilience against misinformation, and to discuss lessons learned from diverse regulatory approaches to preserve information integrity. 

17:00 - 18:30

The Storting

[Visit and reception at the Storting] The Storting’s work on artificial intelligence, followed by a reception for MPs and one staff member per delegation

• Welcome remarks by Mr. Svein Harberg, First Vice-President of the Storting, followed by an introduction on the importance of transparent AI for democratic accountability (17:00–17:30)
• Reception (17.30–18.30)

09:00 - 10:30

Studio N

[Parliamentary session 3] Click with care: Protecting vulnerable groups online

The digital space offers significant opportunities to every connected person to express themselves, and to access online information and services. A combination of evolving social, structural and technological factors exposes vulnerable groups – such as children, people with disabilities and marginalized communities – to a range of online threats including cyberbullying and algorithmic discrimination. Protecting the most vulnerable in society against these threats demands targeted, inclusive and enforceable policy responses. This session will explore current legislative gaps, propose online safety frameworks and examine good practices in regulation and platform accountability to ensure a safer digital space for all.

13:30 - 15:00

Studio N

[Parliamentary session 4] From dialogue to action: Advancing digital cooperation across regions and stakeholder groups

Building on the outputs of the 2024 IGF Parliamentary Track and the discussions held so far in 2025, this multi-stakeholder consultation will bring together MPs and key digital players to reflect on how to operationalize concrete, inclusive and collaborative policymaking efforts. All groups will be invited to propose cooperative approaches to building digital governance and identify practical steps for sustaining cooperation beyond the IGF.

15:30 - 16:30

Studio N

[Parliamentary session 5] Parliamentary exchange: Enhancing digital policy practices

In this session, MPs will exchange current practices in their respective parliaments that aim at contributing to a healthy information ecosystem and upholding freedom of expression, while protecting citizens, including the most vulnerable, from online harms. All participating parliamentarians will be invited to share their experiences and contribute approaches to combating false and harmful content and ensuring safer digital spaces – both those that have worked and those that have proved less effective. Through peer learning and discussion, the concluding session of the Parliamentary Track will aim to foster collaboration and inspire actionable solutions across jurisdictions.

16:30 - 17:00

Studio N