Monrovia, Liberia – The Mano River Union Internet Governance Forum (MRU IGF) Secretariat is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Ousman Lamin Kallay, Country Director of iLab Liberia, as a Faculty Member of the 2026 Mano River Union School on Internet Governance and Emerging Technologies (MRU SIG).
Mr. Kallay joins a distinguished team of regional and international experts who will deliver the inaugural edition of MRU SIG, a flagship regional capacity-building initiative established to develop the next generation of Internet Governance, digital policy, and emerging technology leaders across the Mano River Union region.
As Country Director of iLab Liberia, Mr. Kallay has played a significant role in advancing digital innovation, civic technology, digital skills development, entrepreneurship, and technology-driven solutions that promote inclusive development and citizen engagement. His leadership and experience have contributed to strengthening Liberia’s innovation ecosystem while supporting young innovators, entrepreneurs, and technology professionals.
In his role as Faculty Member, Mr. Kallay will lead sessions on Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Digital Skills Development, Civic Technology, Open Data, Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies, and Digital Transformation, while also mentoring participants and contributing to interactive policy discussions and innovation laboratories throughout the programme.
Commenting on the appointment, the MRU IGF Secretariat stated “We are delighted to welcome Mr. Ousman Lamin Kallay to the faculty of the inaugural Mano River Union School on Internet Governance and Emerging Technologies. His extensive experience in digital innovation, technology leadership, and capacity development will provide participants with practical insights into how innovation can support inclusive digital transformation and sustainable development across our region. His appointment reflects MRU SIG’s commitment to bringing together leading practitioners who are shaping Africa’s digital future.”
The Mano River Union School on Internet Governance and Emerging Technologies (MRU SIG) is the premier regional training programme of the MRU IGF Secretariat, designed to strengthen knowledge, leadership, and multistakeholder participation in Internet Governance, digital policy, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, data governance, digital rights, Internet infrastructure, and emerging technologies. The programme adopts a hybrid learning model that combines virtual learning, an intensive in-person residential school, mentorship, and an alumni network to prepare future leaders for active participation in national, regional, continental, and global Internet Governance processes.
The 2026 edition will bring together participants from Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire, and other African countries, creating a collaborative platform for knowledge exchange, innovation, and regional digital cooperation. The MRU IGF Secretariat remains committed to assembling a diverse faculty of accomplished policymakers, regulators, academics, innovators, technical experts, and development practitioners to ensure participants receive a world-class learning experience that reflects international best practices and the evolving digital landscape.
Additional faculty appointments and programme announcements will be made in the coming weeks. The MRU SIG Mano River Union School on Internet Governance and Emerging Technologies (MRU SIG) is the flagship capacity-building programme of the Mano River Union Internet Governance Forum (MRU IGF) Secretariat. The School equips emerging leaders with the knowledge, skills, and networks needed to contribute to inclusive, secure, and resilient digital development through multistakeholder collaboration, policy dialogue, and practical learning.
