By Andrew Kariuki

Kenya has received a major international boost after being selected to host the 2026 United Nations Internet Governance Forum (IGF), one of the world’s leading global platforms on internet policy and digital governance.

In a further development, Abraham Korir Sing’oei has been appointed by the United Nations Secretary-General as the Host Country Co-Chair of the Internet Governance Forum’s Multistakeholder Advisory Group (MAG).

The appointment was confirmed in the official 2026 MAG membership list released by the forum ahead of the global summit scheduled for December 2026 in Kenya.

Reacting to the appointment, Sing’oei expressed gratitude to the UN Secretary-General and said Kenya was looking forward to hosting inclusive and impactful global discussions on internet governance and digital policy.

“I am grateful to the UN Secretary-General for this appointment as Co-Chair of the Multistakeholder Advisory Group,” Sing’oei stated.

He added that Kenya looks forward to “inclusive, transparent, and impactful discussions” as the host country for the major international forum.

The Principal Secretary will serve alongside MAG Chair Jennifer Chung from the technical community.

Kenya’s Special Envoy on Technology, Philip Thigo, has also been named as the alternate Co-Chair during the preparations for the event.

The Internet Governance Forum is the United Nations’ premier multistakeholder platform bringing together governments, civil society organizations, technology experts, the private sector and digital policy stakeholders from across the world to discuss internet governance, digital rights, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.

Kenya’s selection to host the forum is expected to further strengthen the country’s growing profile as a regional technology and innovation hub within Africa.

The event is also expected to attract global policymakers, technology leaders, investors and digital governance experts to Nairobi during the 2026 summit.