Zambia IGF

Zambia IGF is an open and inclusive space for dialogue on Internet governance issues of relevance to people in Zambia. The national IGF is recognized by the global IGF. Zambia IGF adheres to the core principles of the IGF and as such its processes are bottom up, multistakeholder, open, inclusive, transparent and non-commercial.

It is mandated to be a discussion forum for facilitating dialogue between the Forum’s participants. The Zambia IGF may identify existing and emerging internet-related public policy issues, bring them to the attention of the relevant authorities and the general public, and, where appropriate, make recommendations to the relevant authorities. The Zambia IGF does not have any direct decision-making authority.

The Zambia IGF is part of the hierarchy of Internet Governance Forums (IGF) where at an International level there is the global IGF that was established by the United Nations in July 2006. At a continental level there is the African Internet Governance Forum (AfIGF), and at a regional level the SAIGF falls under the Southern Africa Internet Governance Forum (SAIGF).

The Secretariat of Zambian IGF is housed at Smart Zambia Institute under the eGovernment Department.

Zambia IGF Process

Zambia IGF is an annual process where the National IGF Advisory Committee reaches out to its community and ask what topics are importunate to them to be discussed at the Zambia national IGF annual meeting.

The key objectives of the Zambia IGF are:

  • To increase awareness, build capacity and foster understanding on Internet Governance issues in Zambia so as to ensure informed dialogue on policy and related matters between all stakeholders;
  • Positively impact capacity development of these stakeholders to actively participate in national, regional, and international Internet governance processes.
  • Facilitate multistakeholder discussions and cooperation on Internet‑related issues that are of particular concern for people of Zambia
  • Strengthen linkages between the Zambian stakeholders and the Internet governance realities in the region and on international level
  • To establish a coordinated and coherent framework for dealing with Internet Governance issues in Zambia
  • To ensure Zambia’s views are represented in the African Internet Governance Forum (AfIGF), ICANN and UN IGF.

Zambia IGF Community

Membership of the Zambia IGF is based on the voluntary participation in an open mailing list and through participation in all online and onsite meetings. The community includes stakeholders from all groups (governments, intergovernmental organisations, the private sector, technical community, civil society and academia).

Zambia Organizing Committee

Coordination of the Zambia IGF activities is done by National Advisory Committee (NAC) which is Multistakeholder and regionally diverse. The role is to assist in convening the Zambian IGF by preparing the programme and schedule and to improve the IGF process through community consultations, outreach and stakeholder engagement. NAC members volunteer and serve in their personal capacity, and are expected to have established linkages with their respective stakeholder groups.

The following are the NAC members:

  1. Mr. Ilishebo Michael – Government (Zambia Police Service)
  2. Mr. Milner Makuni – Government (Smart Zambia – eGovernment)
  3. Mr. Gary Mukelebai – Inter Government (ZICTA)
  4. Mr. Mwenya Mutale – Inter Government (ZICTA)
  5. Ms. Chewe Mutale – Inter Government (ZICTA)
  6. Ms. Martha Chilongoshi – Private Sector (Revolt4Her)
  7. Ms. Sandra Chimpala – Private Sector (BBC Media Action)
  8. Mr. Ndele Simukoko – Private Sector
  9. Ms. Mwansa Chola – Private Sector
  10. Ms. Esther Mweme – Academia / Youth (UNZA / Digital Grassroots)
  11. Mr. Levy Syanseke – Academia / Youth (UNZA)
  12. Mr. Kamufisa Manchishi – Academia / Youth
  13. Mr. Richard Mulonga – Civil Society (Bloggers of Zambia)
  14. Ms. Brenda Ngilazi Zulu- Civil Society (Digital Rights Zambia)
  15. Ms. Bulanda Nkhowani – Civil Society (Paradigm Initiative)
  16. Mr. Kingston Ali Mwila – Technical (Zamtel)
  17. Ms. Alumanda Shakankale – Technical (Lead Space Apps)

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Contact information: zambia.igf@gmail.com

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Zambia 2019 Annual Meeting

The 2019 Annual National IGF was hosted on 7 and 8 November in Lusaka.