LIBERIA SET TO HOST THE 2026 MANO RIVER UNION YOUTH INTERNET GOVERNANCE FORUM (MRU Youth IGF)
Empowering the Next Generation of Digital Leaders for the Mano River Union Region .Following the successful hosting of the 2025 Mano River Union Youth Internet Governance Forum (MRU Youth IGF) at the SKD Sports Complex Conference Hall in Monrovia, preparations are now underway for an even bigger and more impactful 2026 edition, which will once again be hosted by Liberia.
The MRU Youth IGF serves as the region’s premier youth platform for dialogue, innovation, and leadership on Internet Governance, digital transformation, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, digital rights, and emerging technologies. The forum provides young people with the opportunity to engage directly with policymakers, industry leaders, the technical community, academia, civil society, and development partners on issues shaping the digital future of the Mano River Union region.
According to the MRU IGF Secretariat, the 2026 edition will build on the momentum of previous successes by expanding youth participation, strengthening regional collaboration, and creating more opportunities for young people to develop the knowledge, skills, and leadership needed to contribute meaningfully to national, regional, and global Internet Governance processes.
“The future of Internet Governance belongs to young people. The MRU Youth IGF is more than an event—it is a platform for developing the next generation of digital leaders, innovators, and policymakers who will shape the future of our region’s digital economy. We encourage youth across Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Côte d’Ivoire to prepare for an exciting and transformative experience later this year.” MRU IGF Secretariat The Secretariat is calling on youth organizations, student associations, universities, innovation hubs, youth-led civil society organizations, government youth institutions, technology communities, entrepreneurs, and young professionals across the Mano River Union region to begin preparing for what promises to be the largest regional youth gathering on Internet Governance and digital policy.
The 2026 MRU Youth IGF will feature interactive policy dialogues, leadership sessions, capacity-building workshops, innovation showcases, networking opportunities, and discussions on the most pressing digital issues affecting the region and beyond. Participants will gain practical knowledge, build regional networks, and contribute to shaping recommendations that advance an open, secure, inclusive, and resilient digital future.
Further announcements, including the official theme, programme details, speaker lineup, and registration information, will be released by the MRU IGF Secretariat in the coming weeks.
The future is digital. The future is youth. The future starts here.
Get ready. Liberia is preparing to welcome the region’s next generation of Internet Governance leaders.
