The 2025 edition of the African School on Internet Governance (AfriSIG) took place from 23 to 28 May in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, offering participants a comprehensive overview of internet and digital policy across Africa and globally. This year, AfriSIG placed a particular emphasis on data governance, alongside reflections on the 20-year review of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS+20).
A highlight of the School was the Makane Faye AfriSIG Award, presented annually since 2024 to participants who demonstrate exceptional commitment to internet governance. The award honours the legacy of Makane Faye – a visionary and one of AfriSIG’s mentors and trainers – who sadly passed away in March 2021. The initiative not only commemorates his contributions, but also celebrates those who are helping to carry his legacy forward.
This year’s recipients of the Makane Faye AfriSIG Award were Peninah Susan Igaga and Audace Niyonkuru.
The award "is named after Makane Faye, a visionary, leader, and one of the founding minds behind AfriSIG,” commented Peninah in her Linkedin. “His legacy in shaping Africa’s internet governance landscape is unmatched, and to receive an award in his honour is something I will carry with deep pride and responsibility,” she added.
Peninah has a legal background and a deep commitment to advancing gender equity and community involvement. Her work in Uganda focuses on bridging the gender digital divide, amplifying digital rights, and empowering underrepresented communities. “The Makane Faye Award is not just a recognition; it is a call to action. My reminder to stay rooted in service, advocacy, and purpose, especially for those often left out of digital policymaking like rural women, marginalised communities, and the digitally underserved,” she shared.
Audace Niyonkuru is the founder and CEO of Digital Umuganda, an AI and open data firm based in Kigali, Rwanda. His company focuses on enhancing access to information and services in local African languages. Under his leadership, Digital Umuganda has built open voice datasets in over 14 countries across the continent to improve natural language processing (NLP) and AI applications for African languages. “It was a pleasure receiving the Makane Faye award," celebrated Audace in his Linkedin, adding: "The African School on Internet Governance was a remarkable experience!”
Remembering Makane Faye
Makane Faye had retired from the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), where he served until 2016. From 1990 he had worked with UNECA in different capacities, as Information Development Officer, Regional Advisor in Information Systems Development, Senior Regional Advisor in ICT Policy, Manager of the Information Technology Centre for Africa, Chief of the e-Application Section and Chief of the Knowledge Services Section.
Makane’s experience allowed him to work at both the technical and policy level, as a trainer and advisor in the development and implementation of ICT policies in Africa. He led high-level advisory missions and coordinated common positions during the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) process as Secretary to the African Ministerial Committee and the Internet Governance Forums at the global, continental and regional levels. He was also heavily involved in initiatives that promoted regional cooperation including the African Information Society Initiative (AISI) and the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD).
Makane was central to the launch of the African Internet Governance Forum (AfIGF), and in his role as Secretary, he worked closely with the African Union Commission’s Information Society Division in organising the annual meeting. His last AfIGF was the ninth edition, which was held virtually on 25-27 November 2020, due to travel restrictions imposed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
At the time of his passing, Makane also served voluntarily as Chairperson of the Scientific Committee of the West African Internet Governance Forum. He was also an executive committee member of the Internet Governance Forum Support Association.
This year's edition of AfriSIG was convened by the Association for Progressive Communications (APC), the African Union Commission’s Information Society Division, and Research ICT Africa (RIA), in collaboration with UNECA and the UN IGF Parliamentary Track.