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The SADC IGF, or Southern Africa Internet Governance Forum, is a sub-regional forum facilitated by the SADC (Southern African Development Community) . It is a platform for all stakeholders to discuss internet governance issues within the Southern Africa region. Internet governance refers to the collaborative efforts of various stakeholders – governments, the private sector, civil society, and technical actors – to develop and apply shared principles, norms, rules, and decision-making procedures that shape the Internet's evolution and use. It's a process of managing the Internet's infrastructure, policies, and its overall impact on society. The forum brings together representatives from government, civil society, the private sector, technical communities, academia and the youth. SAIGF's vision is keeping the internet open, free and unfragmented. The internet is a decentralized network of networks, governed from its inception by a wide range of stakeholders namely governments, private companies, the technical community, and civil society. The regional IGF is supported by various regional and global cooperating partners.

Database of the Southern Africa National and Youth IGFs.




This year SAIGF is soliciting for a host for SAIGF 2025 and once it is finalised, the dates will be announced.



All stakeholders from Southern Africa are encouraged to participate during the Africa IGF 2025 being held from 29 to 31 May 2025 in Dar Es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania) and the Global IGF 2025 going to be held from 23 to 27 June 2025 in Lillestrøm, Norway).

The Africa IGF MAG Members for 2025 from Southern Africa are Jacob Munodawafa representing SADC, Bram Fudzulani from Malawi (nominated) and Dr Sylvia Sathekge from South Africa (nominated).









PRELIMINARY CALL FOR PROPOSALS: SOUTHERN AFRICA INTERNET GOVERNANCE FORUM 2025

The Southern Africa Internet Governance Forum (SAIGF) is inviting potential participants to submit preliminary proposals for SAIGF 2025 as a show of interest. The preliminary proposals should include show casing achievements at the national level as best practices and sessions on a specific Internet governance-related topics or questions. The preliminary proposals will be used to draft the SAIGF 2025 theme and sub-themes. To submit the preliminary proposals, click here.


The SAIGF can be contacted on: SAIGF Representative

Click here to access the SAIGF Email and Animated Alarm



SAIGFs Meetings Reports, Presentations and Papers are available by following this link

Below is a customised SAIGF Search Engine which allows searching for documents on SAIGF repository.

Internet Governance – Why the Multistakeholder Approach Works

The multistakeholder governance framework is informed by three components: opened-ended unleashed innovation (infrastructure), decentralized governance institutions (governance) and open and inclusive processes (human)

Policy Brief: Internet Governance

The term 'Internet governance' refers to the processes that impact how the Internet is managed. The historic and future success of the Internet as an open and trusted platform for innovation and empowerment depends on a decentralized, collaborative, and multistakeholder approach to Internet governance.

AU Declaration On Internet Governance

During the African Union (AU) Summit held in Kigali in January 2018 the African Union Declaration on Internet Governance was adopted.

Supporting the Creation and Scalability of Affordable Access Solutions: Understanding Community Networks

Community networks, communications infrastructure deployed and operated by citizens to meet their own communication needs, are being increasingly proposed as a solution to connect the unconnected.

Community Networks - building a digital future that puts people first.

Closing the digital divide is critical and community networks offer a solution. These are “do it yourself” networks built by people for people. You can promote, donate to, or even build a community network yourself. You can also work with your local community and government to help create change. Community networks need policy and regulatory assistance in some countries to get started.

Support SAIGF Internet Access for all

Donations in funding or equipment will help to extend Internet access to all in remote villages and underserved urban neighborhoods. The donations will support training for the next generation of Internet leaders, expertise and equipment to build Internet networks in communities that need access.