The high-level gathering, convened under the theme “Connected Futures: Advancing Africa’s Digital Sovereignty through Open Collaboration,” brought together delegates from across West and Central Africa, alongside representatives from the European Union and the African Development Bank.
Speaking on behalf of President Adama Barrow, Minister Bouy revealed that The Gambia stands ready to work with WACREN and its member networks to ensure that the outcomes of the 2026 Conference translate into lasting institutional and societal impact.
Since inception, he said, WACREN has played a transformative role in connecting National Research and Education Networks across West and Central Africa to the global research community.
He said that through advanced digital infrastructure, capacity building, and promotion of open science, the Network has strengthened the foundations of a knowledge-driven economy for its member states.
He noted that digital sovereignty is no longer an abstract concept, adding that the forum is a strategic imperative that ensures that African institutions own, govern and benefit from their digital infrastructure, utilise and protect their data and innovations.
“The challenge is about building resilient systems that protect our knowledge assets, empower our researchers, and reflect our cultural and developmental priorities,” he said.
Professor Pierre Gomez, minister for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (MoHERST), also reaffirmed government’s commitment to positioning technology and innovation at the center of national development, with a renewed focus on strengthening higher education, research, and digital infrastructure.
Prof Gomez underscored government’s strategic vision to leverage technology as a catalyst for economic growth, innovation, and global competitiveness.
He emphasised that The Gambia, despite its size, is determined to play a significant role in shaping Africa’s digital future.
“This reflects our belief that even a small nation can play a meaningful role in shaping continental and global conversations,” he stated.
The minister highlighted that The Gambia is at a pivotal moment, marked by a rapidly growing youthful population, increasing digital ambition, and needs strong political will to drive ICT-led transformation.
He pointed to ongoing efforts to strengthen the country’s national research and education network, known as the Gambia Research and Education Network, as a critical step towards building a robust and globally competitive academic and research ecosystem.
“Through initiatives such as the strengthening of GAMREN, we are actively laying the foundation for a connected knowledge economy that empowers our universities, researchers, and innovators,” he added.
Her Excellency, Immaculada Roca I Cortes, the European Union Ambassador to The Gambia stated that the theme for the conference captures a simple, but powerful idea: that Africa’s future prosperity, resilience and sovereignty will depend on the ability of its researchers, students and innovators to connect, to collaborate and to control their own digital destiny.
She said the European Union is proud to have supported the journey of the Research and Education Networks on the African continent for more than a decade, through the AfricaConnect programme.
“Through the last phase of AfricaConnect, we have connected over 3,000 institutions and universities, counting over 9 million users among which are students, teachers and researchers,” she said.
“Building on our previous successes of AfricaConnect, I am pleased to announce that AfricaConnect has now entered its fourth phase – AfricaConnect4, with a package of 40 million Euros.”
