The United Nations Secretary-General has announced the appointment of Dr. Jimson Olufuye and Engr. Hossam Elgamal to the Multi-Stakeholder Advisory Group (MAG) for 2025. The group which is tasked with organizing the upcoming 20th Global Internet Governance Forum (IGF) which is a landmark edition scheduled to take place in Norway from June 23-27, 2025, in Lillestrøm, Norway would be Chaired by Ms. Roach Carol, Bahamas - Under Secretary, Ministry of Economic Affairs.
The MAG, a key body under the United Nations' Internet Governance Forum initiative, is composed of experts from various sectors, including government, academia, civil society, technical community and the private sector. Its primary role is to guide discussions and collaborations to foster inclusive and sustainable digital governance.
Dr. Jimson Olufuye, a prominent advocate for digital transformation in Africa and founder of the Africa ICT Alliance (AfICTA), brings years of expertise in ICT policy and strategy. His extensive contributions to bridging the digital divide and promoting multi-stakeholder engagement in Internet governance make him a valuable addition to the MAG.
Engr. Hossam Elgamal, an Egyptian technology leader and former chairman of the Africa ICT Alliance, is known for his innovative approaches to digital policy development. With his vast experience in cybersecurity, data governance, and digital transformation, Elgamal's appointment underscores the United Nations’ commitment to inclusive representation and diverse expertise in shaping the global Internet future.
Of note is that the MAG 2025 was appointed through an exceptional approach, following the public nomination process from the MAG and WGIG alumni network rather than the traditional broad community nomination process. This approach ensures that the specific expertise and experience gained through the MAG and WGIG work strategically guides the IGF’s preparations for the 20-year review process of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS+20) and the IGF mandate.
This experienced MAG will help navigate the unique challenges of planning for the 20th annual IGF meeting, which has limited preparation time. It will also provide guidance on strengthening the future MAG’s long-term working modalities. The 2025 IGF in Norway is expected to address pressing issues, including artificial intelligence, data sovereignty, cybersecurity, and equitable access to digital infrastructure. All appointees are anticipated to play critical roles in shaping a comprehensive agenda that reflects the interests and needs of stakeholders worldwide.
Their appointments are celebrated as a win for AfICTA, Africa and the global South, reaffirming their growing influence in global digital policy and governance discussions. For more information on the MAG 2025 and the Global IGF 2025, please visit the official IGF website
Africa Information & Communication Technologies Alliance (AfICTA) is a concerned private sector-led alliance of ICT Associations, multi-national corporations, companies, organizations, and individuals in the ICT sector in Africa. AfICTA is a major key player in promoting the ICT space on the continent of Africa and our vision is to fulfill the promise of the digital age for everyone in Africa.
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Dr. Jimson Olufuye, Engr. Hossam Elgamal, and others Appointed to the UN Multi-Stakeholder Advisory Group 2025
Kayode Oyeyemi
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