About the South Sudan Internet Governance Forum (SS-IGF)

The South Sudan Internet Governance Forum (SS-IGF) is a national multistakeholder platform that brings together stakeholders from government, the private sector, civil society, academia, the technical community, youth groups, media actors, and development partners to discuss issues related to the development, governance, and use of the internet in South Sudan.

The SS-IGF provides an open, inclusive, and non-commercial space for dialogue, cooperation, and knowledge exchange on national internet governance priorities, including connectivity, cybersecurity, digital rights, emerging technologies, digital inclusion, and digital transformation.

What is Internet Governance?

Internet governance refers to the development and application of shared principles, norms, rules, decision-making procedures, and programmes that shape the evolution and use of the internet. It involves multiple stakeholders working collaboratively to ensure that the internet remains open, secure, stable, resilient, and beneficial to society.

The Role of SS-IGF

The SS-IGF serves as South Sudan’s primary national dialogue mechanism for internet governance. It aims to strengthen national understanding of digital policy issues and support cooperation between stakeholders in order to contribute to the country’s digital development agenda.

The forum does not produce negotiated decisions, but its discussions and recommendations support policy development, capacity building, awareness, and collaborative action across the digital ecosystem.

Our Vision

An open, inclusive, safe, and resilient internet that supports sustainable development and socio-economic growth in South Sudan.

Our Mission

To strengthen South Sudan’s internet governance ecosystem through inclusive multistakeholder dialogue, capacity development, awareness initiatives, and policy-oriented collaboration that supports digital transformation and responsible technology adoption.

Core Objectives of SS-IGF

The SS-IGF aims to:

  • Promote inclusive multistakeholder dialogue on internet governance issues in South Sudan.
  • Support national efforts to improve access to affordable and meaningful connectivity.
  • Strengthen awareness on cybersecurity, digital safety, and responsible internet use.
  • Encourage the development of enabling policies and legal frameworks on digital governance.
  • Promote digital rights, online safety, and the protection of vulnerable groups including children and persons with disabilities.
  • Strengthen digital skills and capacity development across stakeholder groups.
  • Support the responsible adoption of emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT).
  • Facilitate collaboration and partnerships among stakeholders to advance national digital development.
  • Strengthen South Sudan’s participation in regional and global internet governance processes.

Who Participates in SS-IGF?

The SS-IGF is open to all stakeholders and encourages participation from:

  • Government institutions and regulators
  • Private sector companies and ICT operators
  • Civil society organizations and digital rights groups
  • Academia and research institutions
  • Technical community and internet experts
  • Youth groups and innovation communities
  • Women-led and inclusion-focused initiatives
  • Media and communication stakeholders
  • International and intergovernmental organizations

SS-IGF and the Global Internet Governance Forum

The SS-IGF is part of the global ecosystem of national and regional Internet Governance Forums established under the United Nations mandate. It aligns with the principles of the United Nations Internet Governance Forum (Global IGF), including openness, inclusivity, transparency, bottom-up participation, and multistakeholder engagement.

Through SS-IGF, South Sudan contributes national perspectives and priorities into wider regional and global internet governance discussions.

SS-IGF Activities

Key SS-IGF activities include:

  • Annual national Internet Governance Forum event
  • Stakeholder consultations and thematic dialogue sessions
  • Capacity-building initiatives including the South Sudan School on Internet Governance (SS-SIG)
  • Awareness campaigns on cybersecurity and digital inclusion
  • Youth engagement programmes and digital leadership development
  • Support to national policy discussions and digital transformation strategies
  • Engagement with regional and global IGF processes

Governance and Coordination

The SS-IGF is supported by a multistakeholder coordination structure, including the SS-IGF Secretariat and the Multistakeholder Advisory Group (MAG). These structures help ensure that SS-IGF remains inclusive, participatory, and representative of diverse stakeholder groups.

Get Involved

The SS-IGF welcomes individuals and organizations interested in contributing to South Sudan’s digital governance journey. Participation is open, and stakeholders are encouraged to contribute ideas, expertise, partnerships, and support to strengthen the national internet governance ecosystem.

For collaboration, partnerships, or participation inquiries, please visit our Contact Page or reach out through the official SS-IGF channels.