What is Smart Africa’s CAIGA initiative?  

• CAIGA (Continental African Internet Governance Agenda) is Smart Africa’s strategy to drive internet governance in Africa.
• The initiative focuses on aligning policies, fostering regional collaboration, and enhancing digital infrastructure across the continent.

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Introduction: The Promise and Pitfalls of the CAIGA Initiative

The Continental Africa Internet Governance Architecture (CAIGA), initiated by Smart Africa, has sparked significant discussions surrounding the future of internet governance in Africa. This initiative focuses on the idea of digital sovereignty, aiming to centralize political control over the region’s internet infrastructure, particularly AFRINIC. While digital sovereignty is an attractive concept, the method proposed by Smart Africa to achieve this goal through CAIGA raises serious concerns regarding the politicization of a technical and operationally complex institution like AFRINIC. This article delves into the details of CAIGA, its potential consequences, and why the initiative might risk stifling Africa’s digital growth..

Also read: How the CAIGA Initiative Impacts Africa’s Internet Governance

What is CAIGA? Understanding the Initiative and Its Goals

The CAIGA initiative represents Smart Africa’s plan to bring African governments into a stronger position of control over the governance of Africa’s internet infrastructure. The central aspect of this plan is to introduce a body composed of government representatives and policymakers that would have oversight over AFRINIC.

AFRINIC, which is Africa’s regional internet registry, is currently governed by a bottom-up, member-driven process. This means that AFRINIC’s governance is rooted in the needs and interests of the region’s ISPs, network engineers, and technical experts. However, CAIGA proposes to change this governance model by establishing a new political body with the authority to oversee the operations of AFRINIC.

This shift is motivated by the idea of digital sovereignty, which aims to ensure that African nations have control over their internet infrastructure. However, instead of empowering technical stakeholders who understand the complexities of internet governance, CAIGA could place decision-making power in the hands of individuals with little expertise in the technical aspects of internet operations.

Also read: Main Goals of the Smart Africa CAIGA Initiative

Smart Africa’s Digital Sovereignty Rhetoric

One of the primary concerns with the CAIGA initiative is the risk of political overreach. By shifting the governance of AFRINIC to a politically driven body, the initiative could undermine the independence of the registry. This could lead to slower decision-making processes, the potential for inefficiencies, and a loss of confidence in AFRINIC’s ability to meet the needs of its members, including ISPs, network engineers, and other technical stakeholders.

Moreover, political interference in AFRINIC’s operations could create uncertainty for the businesses and organizations that rely on AFRINIC for their internet services. The increased involvement of governments in the technical aspects of internet governance could make it more difficult for AFRINIC to implement complex technologies such as Resource Public Key Infrastructure (RPKI), which is critical for routing security.

The lack of technical expertise among the proposed CAIGA members could also exacerbate the challenges that AFRINIC faces in managing the region’s internet infrastructure. Rather than empowering local experts who understand the technical needs of the network, the CAIGA proposal risks creating a governance structure that is more concerned with political agendas than with ensuring the stability and efficiency of Africa’s internet systems.

Digital sovereignty is a meaningless concept when it comes to virtual resources and the global technical standards underpinning the Internet.

——Milton Mueller, professor at Syracuse University and internet governance expert

Also read: What the African community thinks about the CAIGA initiative

The Potential Consequences of Political Overreach

One of the primary concerns with the CAIGA initiative is the risk of political overreach. By shifting the governance of AFRINIC to a politically driven body, the initiative could undermine the independence of the registry. This could lead to slower decision-making processes, the potential for inefficiencies, and a loss of confidence in AFRINIC’s ability to meet the needs of its members, including ISPs, network engineers, and other technical stakeholders.

Moreover, political interference in AFRINIC’s operations could create uncertainty for the businesses and organizations that rely on AFRINIC for their internet services. The increased involvement of governments in the technical aspects of internet governance could make it more difficult for AFRINIC to implement complex technologies such as Resource Public Key Infrastructure (RPKI), which is critical for routing security.

The lack of technical expertise among the proposed CAIGA members could also exacerbate the challenges that AFRINIC faces in managing the region’s internet infrastructure. Rather than empowering local experts who understand the technical needs of the network, the CAIGA proposal risks creating a governance structure that is more concerned with political agendas than with ensuring the stability and efficiency of Africa’s internet systems.

Smart Africa was pushing for a new layer of governmental and regulatory authority positioned above AFRINIC’s elected board.

——Alice Munyua, Kenyan Internet Society trustee and former ICANN GAC chair

Also read: Smart Africa vs AFRINIC: What’s the difference

The Problem with CAIGA’s Centralized Governance Model

One of the key criticisms of CAIGA is its move towards a centralized governance model. Under this structure, a council composed of political figures would have the authority to make decisions on behalf of AFRINIC. This could undermine the principles of bottom-up governance that have guided internet governance for years, especially the multistakeholder model that ICANN has championed.

In the multistakeholder model, decisions about internet governance are made collaboratively by representatives from various sectors, including governments, the private sector, and civil society. This approach ensures that no single group has too much influence over the internet’s operations and promotes a more balanced, inclusive decision-making process.

However, the CAIGA initiative proposes a structure where political actors—many of whom may have little understanding of technical issues—would have significant influence over the future of AFRINIC. This centralization could hinder the ability of AFRINIC to operate efficiently and respond to the needs of its members, potentially stalling progress in the region’s digital infrastructure.

Also read: Why the Smart Africa CAIGA initiative was created

Why Local Stakeholders Should Lead the Way in Africa’s Digital Future

Rather than ceding control to political bodies, the future of Africa’s digital ecosystem should be shaped by local stakeholders—ISPs, network engineers, civil society, and other technical experts who are directly involved in the operation and management of the region’s internet infrastructure. These local stakeholders have the necessary technical expertise to make informed decisions about how the internet should be governed in Africa.

Empowering local stakeholders to take charge of AFRINIC’s governance would allow for a more responsive and flexible system that can better meet the needs of the region’s internet users. It would also ensure that decisions are made by those who have the most experience with the technical aspects of internet operations, rather than by political actors who may be more focused on advancing their own agendas.

The Need for Collaborative, Multistakeholder Internet Governance

The future of Africa’s internet governance should embrace a multistakeholder approach that includes governments, technical experts, civil society, and the private sector. This model has been successful in other regions and has proven to be effective in balancing the interests of all stakeholders. A collaborative governance model ensures that no single group can dominate the decision-making process, and it allows for more inclusive and transparent governance.

By adopting a multistakeholder approach, Africa can build a more inclusive and sustainable internet governance model that supports the region’s digital transformation while also maintaining a focus on the technical and operational needs of internet infrastructure.

Smart Africa’s Role in Shaping AFRINIC’s Future

Smart Africa has positioned itself as a key player in Africa’s internet governance, but its proposed approach to the reform of AFRINIC has raised concerns among many stakeholders. Smart Africa’s emphasis on digital sovereignty and its proposal for a centralized governance model could jeopardize AFRINIC’s ability to function effectively as a regional registry.

The solution to AFRINIC’s governance issues lies not in the political control proposed by Smart Africa but in empowering its members to take an active role in the management and operation of the registry. By strengthening the existing governance model and encouraging greater member participation, AFRINIC can ensure that it meets the needs of Africa’s internet community.

The Way Forward: An Alternative Vision for Africa’s Digital Ecosystem

Instead of focusing on the political control proposed by CAIGA, Africa should prioritize self-regulation, professional management, and collaboration among local stakeholders. The continent’s digital transformation should be driven by the needs of local internet users and the technical expertise of those who are actively involved in managing Africa’s internet infrastructure.

By adopting a multistakeholder model, Africa can build a more effective, resilient, and inclusive digital ecosystem that supports the region’s growth and development in the digital age.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the CAIGA initiative, and how does it impact AFRINIC?

The CAIGA initiative is a proposal led by Smart Africa to bring greater political control over AFRINIC, Africa’s regional internet registry. By introducing a Council of African Internet Governance Authorities (CAIGA), the proposal aims to place governmental representatives in charge of AFRINIC’s operations. This centralization of authority raises concerns about political interference in the technical and operational management of the registry.

2. What is digital sovereignty, and why is it important for Africa?

Digital sovereignty refers to a country’s ability to control its digital infrastructure, data, and resources without outside interference. For Africa, asserting digital sovereignty means ensuring that the continent has more control over its internet governance and infrastructure. However, the challenge lies in balancing government oversight with the technical expertise needed to manage these resources effectively.

3. Why are stakeholders concerned about the CAIGA initiative?

The primary concern with the CAIGA initiative is its potential to politicize AFRINIC’s governance. Critics argue that bringing political leaders into AFRINIC’s decision-making process could lead to inefficiencies, hinder technical development, and prioritize political interests over the operational needs of Africa’s internet infrastructure.

4. How does the multistakeholder governance model work, and why is it preferred?

The multistakeholder governance model involves multiple groups, including governments, private companies, civil society, and technical experts, working together to make decisions about internet governance. This approach ensures that no single group dominates the decision-making process and that all stakeholders’ needs are considered. It is preferred because it promotes transparency, inclusivity, and collaboration.

5. What role should local stakeholders play in Africa’s digital future?

Local stakeholders, including ISPs, network engineers, and civil society organizations, should be at the forefront of Africa’s internet governance. These groups have the technical expertise and local knowledge necessary to make informed decisions that support the region’s digital development. Empowering them would lead to a more responsive, efficient, and sustainable digital ecosystem.

The Future of CAIGA and Its Impact on Africa’s Internet

In conclusion, while the CAIGA initiative presents an opportunity for Africa to assert its digital sovereignty, the proposed governance structure raises significant concerns about the potential for political interference in the region’s internet infrastructure. The future of Africa’s internet governance should be shaped by local stakeholders who have the necessary technical expertise to ensure that the region’s digital future is secure, inclusive, and sustainable.

Instead of relying on centralized political control, Africa should embrace a multistakeholder approach that empowers all sectors to collaborate and contribute to the development of the region’s digital infrastructure. A more inclusive and collaborative governance model would enable AFRINIC to effectively address the region’s internet governance challenges and create a more resilient digital ecosystem.

The future of Africa’s internet governance is critical, and as Smart Africa and other stakeholders push for digital sovereignty, it’s important to carefully consider the long-term impact of political interventions in this space. By promoting a bottom-up approach, Africa can avoid repeating the mistakes of the past and ensure a more balanced, transparent, and sustainable future for its digital infrastructure.