The Honorable Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, Professor Pierre Gomez, has called for stronger African ownership of digital infrastructure and data governance at the opening of the WACREN 2026 Annual Conference.
Delivering his statement, the Minister described digital sovereignty as an urgent priority for Africa, emphasizing that the continent must move beyond being a consumer of technology to becoming a creator and controller of its own digital systems.
The conference, held under the theme “Connected Futures: Advancing Africa’s Digital Sovereignty through Open Collaboration,” has brought together policymakers, researchers, technologists, and development partners from across the region.
Professor Gomez highlighted the role of the West and Central African Research and Education Network (WACREN) in fostering collaboration and strengthening digital infrastructure across West and Central Africa. He noted that such platforms are critical for enabling knowledge exchange and driving innovation among African institutions.
He further stated that hosting the conference reflects The Gambia’s commitment to positioning higher education, research, science, and technology at the centre of national development. He added that efforts to strengthen the country’s National Research and Education Network (GAMREN) are ongoing.
The Minister also expressed appreciation to key partners, including the European Union and the West African Development Bank, for their continued support in advancing Africa’s digital and research ecosystem.
He urged participants to prioritise ownership, collaboration, and sustainability, stressing the need for discussions to translate into concrete policies, scalable infrastructure, and measurable outcomes.
The WACREN 2026 Annual Conference continues over the next two days, with sessions focusing on open science, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and climate data systems.
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