Cotonou (Benin), 16 May 2025 (ECA) — The WSIS+20 Africa Regional Review Meeting, held in Cotonou from 14 to 16 May 2025, concluded by adopting the Cotonou Declaration calling for the continuation of the World Summit on the Information Society process, including the Internet Governance Forum and WSIS Forum for the next decade urging a unified African voice for an inclusive digital future. This will reinforce alignment with the Global Digital Compact, enhancing Africa’s leadership in digital governance and ensuring technology serves as a force for socio-economic progress, sustainability, and equity.
The three-day event brought together ministers, parliamentarians, regional and international organizations, civil society, youth representatives, academia, and the private sector to assess progress made since the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) and chart a renewed course for Africa’s digital future.
Presiding over the closing ceremony, Mr. Mahougnon KAKPO, representative of the President of the National Assembly of Benin, emphasized the shared responsibility of all stakeholders in bridging the digital divide. “I call for the mobilization and commitment of all stakeholders, governments, parliaments, the private sector, civil society, and international partners to intensify our efforts to ensure universal and affordable access to information and communication technologies,” he stated.
Echoing this call, Mrs. Aurélie Adam Soulé Zoumarou, Minister of Digital Economy and Digitalization of Benin, underscored the continent’s immense potential: “Africa is a young, dynamic, and promising continent. Digital technology is a tremendous opportunity to accelerate its development, transform its economies, and improve the lives of its people. With determination and ambition, we can build an African information society that is a model of inclusion, innovation, and shared prosperity.”
Mactar Seck, Chief of the Emerging Technologies, Innovation and Digital Transformation Section at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), highlighted the importance of equity and inclusion: “During this meeting we also discussed how to include better women, youth, children, persons with disabilities, and people living in rural and remote areas, so that they can benefit from the opportunities offered by ICTs. Delegates shared their views and provided insights on how Africa can become not only a consumer, but also a major player in the information society, driven by our young population.” He further emphasised the key outcome of the meeting – the Cotonou Declaration – calling for the continuation of the WSIS process for the next ten years, in alignment with the objectives of the Global Digital Compact.”
Throughout the meeting, delegates reaffirmed the importance of inclusive and resilient digital development as a catalyst for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Agenda 2063. Discussions focused on progress, gaps, and emerging challenges in digital transformation, data governance, cybersecurity, digital inclusion, and innovation ecosystems.
The meeting culminated in the adoption of the Cotonou Declaration, which reaffirms Africa’s commitment to building an inclusive, affordable, secure, and people-centered digital society. Key priorities outlined in the Declaration include:
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Strengthening digital cooperation and regional integration to bridge connectivity gaps and promote interoperability.
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Accelerating digital skills development and digital literacy, especially for women, youth, and marginalized populations.
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Scaling up investments in digital infrastructure and fostering innovation ecosystems.
The outcomes of the WSIS+20 Africa Regional Review Meeting will contribute to the global WSIS+20 review process, to be held in 2025, marking 20 years since the Tunis phase of the Summit.
Organized by ECA, in collaboration with the Government and National Assembly of Benin, the meeting served as a milestone to reaffirm Africa’s digital ambitions and collective vision for a digitally empowered future.
Issued by:
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Economic Commission for Africa
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Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
Tel: +251 11 551 5826
E-mail: eca-info@un.org