By Suave Human
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: There are days you attend an event and take notes. Then there are days like this — where you don’t just listen, you feel the room. The Youth Day at the 14th Africa IGF in Dar es Salaam was exactly that.
This wasn’t just youth being invited to the table, it felt like we were being asked, “How should we build this continent together?”
Throughout the day, we didn’t just hear from youth, we heard from dreamers, doers, and digital warriors. Voices from all corners of Africa spoke honestly about what it means to be a young person navigating a digital space that wasn’t always built for us.
Africa IGF Youth Day 2025 Key Takeaways and Global Insights
Youth inclusion must go beyond tokenism.We’re tired of being the last speaker on the agenda or the face on the flyer. We want structure — youth councils, advisory seats, funded participation — and most importantly, influence.
Digital identity should mean access, not exclusion. A recurring theme was this: if digital IDs are rolled out without care, they’ll become digital walls instead of bridges. Youth want IDs that work across borders, protect our data, and include everyone — especially the underserved.
Online content moderation must balance freedom and safety. Many of us have experienced either being silenced or overwhelmed by harmful content. We want platforms and governments to protect users – but not at the expense of our voices or our activism.
Data protection isn’t a privilege — it’s a right there is frustration about how loosely data is handled in many African countries. We called for stronger legislation, transparency, and accountability — especially when states partner with private tech companies.
The digital divide is still very real. Access, especially in rural and low-income areas, remains a major challenge. And even when youth are online, lack of skills or awareness keeps many from using the internet for education, innovation, or employment.
What We’re Asking of the Global IGF
Commit to more than praise; invest in youth-driven internet governance labs throughout Africa. Develop clear pathways for youth proposals to become actionable policies. Enforce inclusive and rights-respecting digital ID frameworks. Acknowledge and honor the multifaceted nature of youth, encompassing gender, ability, and language differences. Empower young people to design the internet governance system itself, not simply participate in it.
Final Reflection
The Africa IGF Youth Day reinforced the realization that the continent’s future is not a distant prospect but a present reality, firmly within our grasp. We possess the vision, the bravery, and the network. What is now essential is the provision of opportunity and assistance, enabling us to excel in our innate capacity to innovate and construct an improved reality.
This wasn’t just a forum. It was a moment, and we’re running with it.
