Research ICT Africa welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) +20 review process and thanks the co-facilitators for producing a comprehensive Zero Draft that provides a strong foundation for advancing the Information Society. We appreciate the draft’s recognition of both the achievements and persistent challenges facing digital development globally, and the inclusive consultation process that has enabled meaningful stakeholder participation.
Addressing fragmented digital ecosystems
This submission draws on evidence-based research on the Information Society and digital rights, as well as the national multistakeholder engagement we convened in South Africa in May 2025, with the Global Network Initiative (GNI) and Global Partners Digital (GPD).
It addresses several cross-cutting themes that we believe require articulation to ensure WSIS remains relevant and effective beyond the next decade. We stress the urgent need to address geopolitical tensions that increasingly fragment digital ecosystems and disadvantage developing countries in global technology governance, limiting not only their participation in international partnerships but also their ability to benefit equitably from digital value chains. A recurring concern across our comments is the power concentration among dominant digital platforms and technology corporations, which fundamentally alters democratic participation, public discourse, and the exercise of human rights in the Information Society’s online world.
