African Union Commission P.O. Box 3243, Roosevelt Street W21K19, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Tel: +251 (0) 11 551 77 00 au.int
INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION DIRECTORATE
Press Release No: ____/2026 Date: 20 October 2026
Venue: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
African Union to Convene Ministers in Libreville to Advance Africa’s Digital
Transformation and Strengthen Its Global Voice
20 October 2026, Addis Ababa: The African Union (AU) will convene the Sixth Ordinary
Session of the Specialised Technical Committee on Communication and ICT (STC-CICT) from
26 to 29 October 2026 in Libreville, Gabon. The session will bring together Ministers, senior
officials and experts to review implementation of continental communication and digital
policies and consider measures to accelerate Africa’s digital transformation.
Held under the theme “Africa’s Digital Future, Africa’s Voice: Advancing Innovation,
Digital Inclusion and Shaping Africa’s Narrative,” the session comes amid growing global
attention to digitalisation and the opportunities and challenges presented by emerging
technologies. It will provide an opportunity to strengthen Africa’s role in shaping technological
development and governance, ensuring that continental priorities, perspectives and
aspirations inform the evolving global digital agenda.
Highlighting the session’s significance for Africa’s digital transformation, H.E. Lerato Dorothy
Mataboge, African Union Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, stated:
African Union Commission P.O. Box 3243, Roosevelt Street W21K19, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Tel: +251 (0) 11 551 77 00 au.int
“The Libreville session is an opportunity to set a clear course for the next phase of Africa’s
digital transformation. Guided by the Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa, we will review
progress in artificial intelligence, data governance, digital identity and cybersecurity, and agree
on concrete measures to accelerate implementation and strengthen Africa’s role in shaping
the global digital agenda.”
The meeting will begin with the Experts’ Session from 26 to 28 October 2026, followed by the
Ministerial Session on 29-30 October 2026. The STC-CICT provides technical and policy
recommendations to the AU Executive Council and monitors implementation of continental
programmes in its areas of responsibility. The Sixth Ordinary Session will review progress in
implementing decisions of the previous ordinary and extraordinary sessions and elect a new
Bureau in accordance with its rules of procedure.
A central focus will be implementation of the Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa (2020–
2030). Delegates will assess progress, identify gaps and consider priorities for accelerating
implementation during the remaining period to 2030, including stronger coordination,
monitoring and accountability.
Discussions will also address implementation of the Continental Artificial Intelligence Strategy
and the AU Data Policy Framework, including skills development, responsible governance and
the use of data to support innovation and economic development. These discussions will
examine how Africa can strengthen its capacity to develop and apply emerging technologies
in ways that respond to its development needs.
Cybersecurity and personal data protection will feature prominently, alongside implementation
of the Malabo Convention and efforts to strengthen institutional capacity and trust in digital
services.
Digital Public Infrastructure, digital ID and connectivity as foundations for accessible services
and an integrated African digital market, will also be considered during the sessions. This
includes advancing digital infrastructure under the second Priority Action Plan of the
Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA PAP 2) and addressing barriers
faced by women, girls, young people, persons with disabilities, rural communities and other
underserved groups.
The theme also places Africa’s voice and narrative at the centre of discussions, highlighting
the role of communication in advancing continental priorities and strengthening Africa’s
participation in global debates on digital transformation.
The meeting will provide an opportunity to strengthen coordination among Member States,
Regional Economic Communities, AU institutions and partners, and align technical and
financial support with continental implementation priorities.
Calling for renewed commitment from Member States, the Commissioner added:
“Our priority is to translate continental commitments into tangible benefits for millions of
Africans through an inclusive, secure digital transformation that supports sustainable
development. I call upon all Member States to engage fully and renew their commitment to an
integrated and prosperous digital Africa.”
Ends//
Read more:
6th Ordinary Session of the Specialised Technical Committee on Communication and ICT STC-CICT
here.
For Media Inquiries:
African Union Commission P.O. Box 3243, Roosevelt Street W21K19, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Tel: +251 (0) 11 551 77 00 au.int
1. Ms. Bezayit Eyoel | Information Analyst | Department of Infrastructure and Energy| African Union
Commission| E-mail: BezayitE@africanunion.org|
2. Mr. Gamal Eldin Ahmed A. Karrar | Senior Communication Officer | Information and Communication
Directorate (ICD), African Union Commission | E-mail: GamalK@africanunion.org
Information and Communication Directorate | African Union Commission
I Email: DIC@africanunion.org | Web: www.au.int | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | Follow
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