The Chadian Ministry of Telecommunications, Digital Economy, and Digitalization, in collaboration with technological and financial partners, launched the Forum on Internet Governance in Central Africa (FGI-AC) in N'Djamena on October 13, 2026. The forum, themed "Between Intelligence and Resilience: Uniting Central Africa for Inclusive and Sovereign Digital Governance," brings together high-ranking officials from public and private institutions in the sub-region. The primary objective is to promote inclusive and sovereign digital governance.
The forum aims to create a framework for reflection on how to regulate artificial intelligence to serve local development, protect citizens' data, and promote Central African languages and cultures. It seeks to move away from relying exclusively on imported models. The meeting also aims to gather policymakers, regulators, the private sector, civil society, researchers, and representatives of women and youth to transform political intentions into concrete actions.
The forum's goal is to connect and integrate the populations of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS). The event provides a platform for stakeholders to discuss ways to harness the potential of digital technologies for sustainable development. The Chadian government hopes to create a conducive environment for the growth of the digital economy in the sub-region.
In his welcome speech, N'Djamena's first deputy mayor, Mahamat Ibrahim Siam, welcomed participants to the city, highlighting its tradition of community gathering. He emphasized that building a sustainable future requires solid foundations, including mastery of data, network security, and technological sovereignty. The deputy mayor noted that the sub-region is at a historical turning point, with expanding fiber optic networks, mobile money transforming markets, and e-commerce taking off.
The deputy mayor also highlighted the growing presence of artificial intelligence in public and private services. He stressed that the sub-region must build a common destiny by leveraging its strengths and addressing its challenges. The forum provides an opportunity for stakeholders to discuss these issues and develop strategies for sustainable development.
In his opening speech, Minister of Telecommunications Haliki Choua Mahamat emphasized that the sub-region has a inventive youth, determined entrepreneurs, and significant resources. However, he noted that potential alone is not enough; functional networks, accessible services, and cooperative institutions are also necessary. The minister called for frank exchanges, clear exposure of difficulties, and applicable recommendations.
The minister expressed his hope that the forum would be judged not by the number of speeches delivered but by the quality of its outcomes. He encouraged participants to work together to develop concrete actions that can be implemented to promote inclusive and sovereign digital governance in Central Africa. The forum's success will depend on the stakeholders' ability to translate their intentions into tangible results.
Key points
- The forum aims to promote inclusive and sovereign digital governance in Central Africa.
- The event brings together high-ranking officials from public and private institutions in the sub-region.
- The forum seeks to harness the potential of digital technologies for sustainable development in the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS).
