DRIF25 speciale
From April 29 to May 01, 2025, Paradigm Initiative hosted the 12th edition of the Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum (DRIF25) in Lusaka, Zambia. Drawing over 600 participants from 66 countries across the globe, DRIF25 featured 122 sessions. These ranged from AI’s impact on harmful content to discussing digital security, AI ethics, and the role of civil society. These are a few key highlights from the Forum:
Londa 24 Launch: The latest edition of our Londa report was launched at DRIF, featuring 27 different countries in Africa. The report highlights the state of digital rights and inclusion in Africa as recorded in 2024. This year’s edition of the annual report contains a Score Index that ranks the different countries using different metrics. The Index ranks countries on the continent according to their
compliance with key human rights elements. South Africa tops the list of countries which are compliant with key human rights elements, followed by Ghana, Zambia, Namibia and Rwanda, respectively. Other countries on the top 10 list are Nigeria, Senegal, Malawi, Tunisia and Kenya. Developed by PIN, it evaluates the compliance of the countries to the key human rights elements described in the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information. Check out your country’s rank on the index here
Finding Diana, Undersight… What next?
Over the years, Paradigm Initiative has told powerful stories that spotlight digital rights issues across Africa through our short films. From the struggle for digital rights to the fight for inclusion, our films are inspired by the Londa reports on digital rights and inclusion, and aim to provoke thought and inspire action. At DRIF25, we unveiled our fifth short film, titled ‘Whispers in the Wires,’ exclusively to the delegates at DRIF. Did you miss out? Don’t worry. We will announce screening sessions for the general public in the days ahead.
PIN Book: In 2024, Paradigm Initiative’s short films had over 1.7 million views. We got over 19,000 report downloads and our rights violation reporting platform, Ripoti also received over 25,000 hits. But have you ever wondered how it all started? PIN was born from a dream to provide access to computers for under-served youth in Nigeria. Our Executive Director, ‘Gbenga Sesan, tells this PIN story in detail in a book titled The PIN Story: A Work in Progress. The book was presented at DRIF and will be available to the public on a later date. Sign up to get a copy once available.
News
Advocating for digital elections across Africa
Paradigm Initiative (PIN), Youth and Society (YAS), and the Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) on April 3rd, 2025, expressed concerns over the current digital rights environment in Malawi ahead of the upcoming General Elections on September, 16th, 2025. In a press release following the Digital Rights Academy in the country, we noted that the elections are taking place amid the restrictive application of criminal defamation laws, such as Section 200 of the Penal Code of Malawi, which poses a threat to freedom of expression and access to information. In the same light, PIN called on authorities, civil society and political parties in Cameroon to play their part in keeping the internet on, as the country’s 2025 Presidential Elections draw nearer. This was at a press conference that marked the end of a two-day engagement with the media and civil society. On April 14, 2025, PIN and partner, Civic Watch hosted the Digital Rights Academy for journalists, and the Digital Rights and Elections in Africa Monitor (DREAM) on April 15,2025 with civil society, media and state institution actors.
Côte d’Ivoire was not left out. On April 16, 2025 Abidjan hosted its first edition of our Digital Policy Engagement Series (DiPES). Bringing together policymakers, civil society actors, and digital rights advocates, DiPES Abidjan - Côte d’Ivoire was an avenue to have an indepth examination of critical legislative texts, amplify civil society perspectives, and foster collaboration toward inclusive, effective digital policymaking. This was followed by DREAM on April 17, 2025 which ended with the issuance of a press release warning against digital rights violations.
Events
Discussing cyber landscape perspectives from Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe
On April 22, 2025, Paradigm Initiative (PIN) and
Bloggers of Zambia, hosted a webinar themed, ‘The Southern Africa Cyber Landscape: Perspectives from Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.’ The conversation explored the evolving cyber laws in Southern Africa, focusing on the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Bills in Zambia, Malawi’s Cybercrimes Bill, and Zimbabwe’s Data Protection Act. It also raised awareness about the impact of these laws on digital rights, privacy, access to information, and freedom of expression.
DAAYTA 2025: Three Nigerian startups win 12 Million Naira prize
Three Nigerian startups have benefited from the sum of 12 million Naira after winning a pitch competition on April 11, 2025. Paradigm Initiative (PIN) partnered with Asset & Resource Management Holding Company Limited (ARM) for the 10th Anniversary Edition of its Deji Alli ARM Young Talent Award (DAAYTA) Virtual Finalists’ Pitch Event to bring it to life. Established in 2015 DAAYTA empowers young entrepreneurs with innovative and impactful ideas that positively affect communities. This year’s edition showcased seven (7) social impact start-ups, with three winning the ₦12 million funding grant to scale their businesses.
DRIMP goes operational at Walter Sisulu University
On April 11, 2025, Paradigm Initiative kicked off the Digital Rights and Inclusion Media Programme (DRIMP) at the Walter Sisulu University in South Africa, with an introductory session that explores the intersection of technology and human rights. Facilitated by
our Executive Director, ‘Gbenga Sesan, the session covered international standards that position digital rights within the broader human rights framework, drawing insights from key documents such as: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights; The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; The African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights; The African Declaration on Internet Rights and Freedoms and The Declaration on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information. More sessions from other PIN team members are in the pipeline for the coming weeks.
Thought Leadership
‘Gbenga speaks to governance of Web 4.0 and Virtual Worlds
Our Executive Director, ‘Gbenga Sesan, joined global experts at the Global Multistakeholder High-Level Conference on Governance of Web 4.0 and Virtual Worlds in Brussels, Belgium, from March 31 to April 1, 2025. Organised by the European Commission and the 2025 Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the conference aimed to catalyse a global conversation on principles for governing Web 4.0 and virtual worlds, contributing to the WSIS+20 (World Summit on the Information Society) review. The event brought together high-level policymakers, technologists, academics, and community leaders to discuss policy solutions for an ethical, value-driven shift to Web 4.0, as well as standardisation issues related to virtual worlds, internet governance, and technical management.
‘Gbenga joins ‘Out of the Box’ discussion on Humanitarian Innovation
On April 9, 2025, ‘Gbenga participated in the ‘Out of the Box’ discussion hosted by the Centre for Humanitarian Action (CHA). The conversion provided insights into how lessons from past and present innovations can shape a humanitarian reset amidst the sector’s current challenges. Discussing challenges, he shared among others, the need to build with and not for communities to accommodate better adaptation in times of crisis. The panel also featured Spencer Huchulakm, Innovation Manager at Elrha; Alsanosi Adam External Communications Coordinator, Localisation Coordination Council, Sudan Emergency Response Rooms, and Andrea Düchting Research Associate, Centre for Humanitarian Action who all shared insights on innovation challenges, successes, and trade-offs. Watch the full session.
In 1991, our Executive Director, ‘Gbenga Sesan was denied access to his school’s computer. While many would back down and give up on their dreams, that moment for him rather sparked a lifelong mission to make digital access a right, not a privilege. Today, Paradigm Initiative operates across multiple African countries, empowering young people with digital, financial, and entrepreneurial skills to transform their lives and communities. In this inspiring feature by Safety Detectives, ‘Gbenga shares why many imported solutions fail in Africa and why locally rooted, people-first training is the future of digital inclusion. See details.
Weekend Read
Senegal’s Technological New Deal – A Digital Ambition Tested by Digital Rights
Media Corner
This month, Paradigm Initiative was featured in the media. Below are some excerpts of the coverage we received;
• From exclusion to empowerment
Through its Technological New Deal Horizon 2034, Senegal aims to position itself as a key player in Africa’s digital transformation. This ambitious strategy seeks to make the country a regional technological hub, modernise public services, and boost its digital economy. However, despite its promises, a crucial aspect
is overlooked, mainly protecting and promoting citizens’ digital rights. Paradigm Initiative’s Programmes Officer for Francophone Africa, Moussa Waly Sene explores the main pillars of the Technological New Deal Horizon and addresses the gaps in digital rights, drawing on relevant precedents. Read full article.
Legislative Protection and Digital and Civic Spaces in Africa
Democracy thrives on the backbone of legislation, which anchors its principles and protects its practices. At its core, legislation is a safeguard for the rights and freedoms of individuals, ensuring that the civic spaces - both physical and digital - remain open, inclusive, and robust.
Civic spaces are the clearest proof of democracy’s presence and health, offering a platform for citizens to express themselves, advocate for their rights, and hold leaders accountable. In an increasingly digital world, however, the nature of these spaces has evolved, becoming both a beacon of hope and a battleground for control. How do we maintain the sanity of these spaces? Our Programmes team comprising Moussa, Miriam, Khadijah and Chiti put together a longread. Check it out here.
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Support the drive for a more inclusive, safe digital space
Paradigm Initiative has been a driving force for positive change in African communities since 2007. With our roots in Nigeria and operations across Cameroon, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, Zambia, Zimbabwe and beyond, we have impacted the livelihoods of more than 150,000 under-served young Africans through digital opportunities and protection of their rights online. Our vision towards a rightsrespecting world is resolute, and so is our focus on influencing policies in digital rights and inclusion while advocating for a free and affordable Internet. Visit our website to learn how you can support us.
