Mano River Union IGF Pushes for Better Internet Access
The Mano River Union (MRU) Internet Governance Forum (IGF) opened its two-day regional conference in Freetown, Sierra Leone, on October 9, 2024, at the New Brookfields Hotel. The event gathered delegates from MRU member countries—Sierra Leone, Guinea, Liberia, and Côte d’Ivoire—to discuss internet infrastructure, digital governance, and connectivity.
With the theme “Bridging the Digital Divide for Inclusive Development,” the forum featured workshops, panel discussions, and technical sessions on creating a resilient and secure digital ecosystem in West Africa. The event emphasized the importance of the internet in driving economic growth, improving digital literacy, and fostering social inclusion.
A key highlight of the forum is the expected signing of a communiqué aimed at strengthening collaboration on digital safety across the region.
Discussions covered critical issues such as digital infrastructure development, cybersecurity, data protection, media literacy, combating misinformation, and the role of emerging technologies in advancing financial inclusion.
Peterking Quaye, MRU IGF Regional Coordinator, stressed the forum’s importance in addressing internet and cybersecurity challenges, particularly concerning emerging technologies and media literacy. He expressed confidence that the conference would lead to improved national policies on internet safety and access.
Sierra Leone IGF President, Ajaratu Marie Bomah, underscored the event as an opportunity for knowledge-sharing and collaboration. She emphasized the need for joint efforts to close the digital divide, stating, “With the insights and technologies we share, we will build a more inclusive digital future for the MRU.
