When Sir Tim Berners-Lee invented the world wide web in 1989, his vision was clear: it would used by everyone, filled with everything and, crucially, it would be free. Today, the British computer scientist's creation is regularly used by 5.5 billion people and bears little resemblance to the democratic force for humanity he intended. In Australia to promote his book, This is for Everyone, Berners-Lee is reflecting on what his invention has become and how he and a community of collaborators can put the power of the web back into the hands of its users.
The governance model is called the Council of African Internet Governance Authorities (CAIGA) framework, and is the work of Smart Africa, an entity that represents 42 African nations that work to accelerate adoption of digital technology across the continent. Member nations' heads of state sit on Smart Africa's board. The CAIGA framework suggests creating a body to represent Africa at internet global internet governance bodies, and for that body to supersede