December 2024 Newsletter

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Dear Esteemed Reader,

As we wrap up an impactful 2024, we at Paradigm Initiative (PIN) celebrate our shared achievements with you. Guided by our Strategic Management Plan (SMP) for 2024-2028, we have been able to build capacity, influence policy, expand regionally, and impact lives- reinforcing our pursuit of a rights-respecting and digitally inclusive society. With 13 days left in the year, we are excited to highlight some of the major milestones we have achieved—made possible through the incredible support of our funders/donors, partners, board, supporters, volunteers, and employees. Looking into the new year, we are optimistic that 2025 will be an even greater year.

Thank you for calming your eyes on our newsletter for 11 months and staying with us for 353 days, we greatly appreciate your company. This being our final edition for 2024, we hope you enjoy the read. Until then, see you after 6th January, 2025 when we resume.

We wish you and your loved ones happy holidays and a fruitful 2025.

The Paradigm Initiative Team.

Key Highlights

• Calling government to order over data breach in Nigeria

• LIFE Legacy programme records amazing expansion

• #AfricaConnected: Connecting Africa, one digital footprint at a time

• PIN at 2024 Internet Governance Forum

• PIN Retreat: Big big things for 2025!

• Road to DRIF25

Calling government to order over major data breach in Nigeria

In June, Paradigm Initiative raised the alarm over Nigerian citizens’ data being sold on internet sites after a major data breach rocked the West African nation. This alarming development presented a major breach of the fundamental rights to privacy, a breach of data privacy rights, and posed significant risks to individuals and the national economy. We called on the Nigerian government to take action and see that the perpetrators of the leak are held accountable and for other stakeholders, including government agencies, financial institutions, the private sector, media institutions, researchers, and civil society organisations, to collaborate in addressing the data privacy crisis. See details. We also filed a suit that is set for hearing in January 2025.

Strategic litigation win through Ripoti

Key among our success stories for 2024, was a legal victory over Nigeria’s United

Bank for Africa (UBA). The bank was ordered to pay its customer N 8,000,000 for gross violation of her right to data privacy in a matter funded by PIN through our digital rights reporting platform, Ripoti . Lagos Judicial Division Judge, Justice A O Faji said the bank failed to comply with the requirements of the tier one domiciliary account which to all intents and purposes, is a limited account which for its continued operation, requires Know Your Customer (KYC) compliance, and which was not done. See details here

Events

DRIF24: Fostering rights and inclusion in the digital age

This year’s edition of our annual Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum (DRIF24) was held in

Accra, Ghana from April 23-25, 2024, under the theme ‘Fostering Rights and Inclusion in the Digital Age.’ DRIF24 brought together hundreds of digital rights stakeholders from Africa and beyond with the sole purpose of discussing Digital Rights and Inclusion in Africa and the Global South. The three-day exchange featured panel sessions, lightning talks and exhibitions. One key highlight of the event was the relaunch of PIN digital security toolkit, Ayeta, and digital rights reporting platform, Ripoti. Now available in multiple languages, both platforms have been instrumental in providing digital security advice to many and giving users a chance to anonymously report digital rights violations.

Undersight revealed at DRIF

DRIF24, our fourth short film, Undersight was screened to an over 500-person audience. Inspired by the 2022 Londa report on digital rights and inclusion in Africa, Undersight traces the story of Omar, a programmer whose brilliant creation makes him a target for a rogue corporation that kidnaps his sister. How far would you go for a loved one? Watch Omar try and navigate the situation.

Stemming the Tide of Abuse in Nigeria’s Digital Space

Under the “Stemming the Tide of Abuse in Nigeria’s Digital Space (STANDS): Influencing Digital Law and Policy towards Positive Change” Project supported by Kingdom of the Netherlands, we organised a series of events across different Nigerian states such as the federal capital state, Abuja, Lagos, and Akwa Ibom. These events were held with the objectives to advocate for laws and policies that protect and enforce rights, advocate against already passed harmful legislation and proposed policies or legislation that threaten rights; and strengthen the institutions that implement, enforce, and provide oversight. To this end, in collaboration with the Nigerian Rights Human Commission (NHRC), we successfully trained some members of the Nigerian Police Force. Paradigm Initiative plans to train even more government officers and officials in 2025.

Digital Policy Engagement Series

Our Digital Policy Engagement Series (DiPES), launched this year, provides a platform for stakeholders and digital rights advocates to discuss existing digital rights leg-

islation, the gaps, pros and cons of proposed bills, and the need for more digital rights and inclusivity in these policies. In alliance with partner organisations, PIN hosted a series of DiPES events across the continent, pushing for legislative reforms and keeping key stakeholders informed. These were accompanied by the Afro Cities cafe, a semiformal, Afrocentric event for young digital rights-like minds to meet and discuss the general happenings in the field around Africa and the Global South. This year we convened these events in Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania and Zambia.

Clicking Towards Credibility: DREAMing of Fair Elections in Ghana

For the second year running, PIN is executing the Digital Rights and Elections in Africa Meetings (DREAM) project. The key goal of the DREAM project is to ensure the protection of digital rights before, during, and after the

elections, and offering support through collaborations with social media platforms and other relevant stakeholders to make credible, verifiable, and independent information accessible to citizens at all times. This time around, we were in Ghana on October 30th, in collaboration with in-country partners Internet Society Ghana(ISOC Ghana), Community Focus Foundation (CFF), and E-Governance and Internet Governance Foundation for Africa (EGIGFA). Bringing together key stakeholders in the country’s presidential elections, we discussed the protection of digital rights and to raise awareness and educate stakeholders on the importance of digital rights in the election process.

End of Year Briefing with Nigerian media

On December 4th, Paradigm Initiative (PIN) hosted media editors and senior reporters from across Nigeria in Lagos. The open exchange was an opportunity for the organisation to communicate with the press, highlight the work that we have focused on this year around policy change, digital inclusion as well as advocacy for digital rights and data protection of citizens. Notably, among key updates provided was that on the data breach case flagged by PIN against the Nigerian Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and other concerned government authorities.

PIN presents Strategic Management Plan to UN Secretary-General

In May, our Executive Director, ‘Gbenga Sesan and other members of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) Leadership Panel met with the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres and Mr. Navid Hanif, the Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Development in the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). Their conversation bordered on the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) and its role. ‘Gbenga also used the opportunity to hand copies of Paradigm Initiative’s Strategic Management Plan (2024-2028) to the Office of the Secretary-General. Relive some picture highlights of the meeting.

PIN at 2024 Internet Governance Forum

The 19th Annual Internet Governance Forum (IGF) is currently happening in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia under the theme ‘Building our Multistakeholder Digital Future.’ The De-

cember 15th to 19th event focuses on the following thematic areas; harnessing innovation and balancing risks in the digital space; enhancing the digital contribution to peace, development, and sustainability; advancing human rights and inclusion in the digital age; and improving digital governance for the Internet We Want. Participating both in person and virtually, the PIN team has been able to host and partake in a number of sessions, bringing our contribution to the conversation on the world’s digital future. Our team at the Forum included the Executive Director, ‘Gbenga Sesan; Senior Manager, Programmes and Grant Strategy, Adeboye Adegoke; Senior Manager, Partnerships and Engagements, Thobekile Matimbe; Senior Programmes Officer, Ihueze Nwobilor; and Partnerships and Engagements Officer, Bridgette Ndlovu.

Road to DRIF 25

In four months, Paradigm Initiative and partners will host the 2025 Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum (DRIF25) in Lusaka, Zambia. With the theme ‘Promoting Digital Ubuntu in Approaches to Technology,’ DRIF25 will be based on the following thematic areas; Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies, Trust and Accountability, Data Protection, Privacy and Cybersecurity, Digital Inclusion and Marginalised Groups, Digital Security, Human Rights and Freedoms. In-

terested in making hosting a session? Send in your session proposal. In 2025, for the first time in DRIF history, we will be providing an opportunity to our DRIF community to also support the event by purchasing tickets. More details and modalities will be shared in due course.

Thought Leadership

Londa report 2023

Our Londa 2023 report covers the involvement of the private sector, civil society, governments, the media, and academia in digital rights and inclusion advocacy across 26 African countries. The report identifies key developments and recommendations for stakeholders to build a strong and sustainable digital environment in Africa where everyone can exercise their rights online. Check out the Londa reports

Assessing AI policy in Eastern and Southern Africa

Paradigm Initiative has announced findings of new research examining legal and policy frameworks governing Artificial In -

telligence (AI) in Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, Mauritius, and Zambia, calling for immediate legislative action to keep pace with AI adoption on the continent. The research was conducted by Paradigm Initiative, and facilitated by TrustLaw, the Thomson Reuters Foundation’s global pro bono network. Besides examining policies and laws, the study also looks at stakeholder involvement in policy-making within the seven countries, pointing to gaps in clear guidelines on how public participation should be conducted, despite the fact that most countries see the need for it in their constitutions. A key recommendation is that current approaches may be inadequate to address the regulatory challenges posed by AI, necessitating that laws be benchmarked against global standards such as UNESCO’s recommendations on AI ethics. Read more details

Advancing Digital Rights in 2024: PIN’s Key Publications

In 2024, Paradigm Initiative continued to lead the charge in promoting digital rights and inclusion across Africa by publishing

impactful resources that address major issues in the tech space while strengthening advocacy efforts. These publications are not only resources but reflections of our dedication to fostering an open, secure and inclusive internet for all. We invite you to explore these resources designed to empower stakeholders while advancing digital rights and inclusion.

Digital Rights and Inclusion Learning Lab 2024

Fellows of the 2024 cohort of our Digital Rights and Inclusion Learning Lab (DRILL) initiative are currently undergoing their fellowship. The seven exceptional individuals from Africa and India were selected following a rigorous and competitive process, from a pool of 1,490 applicants, demonstrating the programme’s commitment to attracting and nurturing top talent in the field. The four-month fellowship, which commenced in October 2024 ends in January 2025 and is designed to equip early to mid-career professionals with the knowl -

edge, skills, and networks necessary to advance digital rights and promote a more inclusive digital future. Through their participation in the programme, the selected fellows have been engaging deeply with digital rights and inclusion issues, contributing to key policy discussions and collaborating with peers and experts from around the world. More details here

LIFE Legacy Echoes

LIFE Legacy Partners Capacity Building Workshop

Acronym for Life skills, ICT skills, Financial literacy and Entrepreneurship, LIFE Legacy is our flagship digital training programme, carried out in underserved communities across the African continent. On November 12th and 13th, we hosted the LIFE Legacy Capacity Building workshop for partners, inspired by some operational challenges with partner organisations, particularly in financial and administrative processes. The endeavour was integral to the overarching goal of hosting impactful training programmes. PIN equipped partner organisations with the necessary tools and knowledge among others, the session also helped them build sustainable organisations and deliver high-quality training sessions that resonate with participants and drive meaningful change. This year, the LIFE Legacy initiative witnessed tremendous expansion, reaching under-served young people across 11 countries including Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Liberia.

Celebrating Adeboye’s Legacy at PIN

On December 20th, 2024, Adeboye Adegoke, our Senior Manager, Grants and Programmes Strategy will be finalising his tenure at Paradigm Initiative after a 10-year stint. As a member of the organisation’s Leadership Team, Adeboye has played an instrumental role in the organisation. As a seasoned strategist, he has over the years led the organisation’s fund mobilisation and programme strategy, spearheading PIN’s programmatic direction to maximise impact. He has also undertaken digital policy interventions, stakeholder engagements, capacity building, strategic litigation, building coalitions and media campaigns, among others, in the process immensely, and selflessly contributing towards PIN’s work and growth in Africa and beyond. His 10-year impact in the organisation has been more than the passage of time. It has been a transformative journey peppered with growth and results. Please join us in wishing him well.

Big big things for 2025!

From December 9th to 13th, 2024, the PIN team was in Doha, Qatar for our annual retreat. The weeklong exercise was a chance to examine the path covered in our 2024-2028 Strategic Management Plan (SMP), and to strategise for 2025. We analysed milestones achieved this year vis-a-vis our SMP, and the building blocks for 2025. . During the retreat, the organisation also took time to appreciate team members for their service in the following categories:

Ten years of service:

• Senior Manager, Grants and Programmes Strategy - Adeboye Adegoke

• Senior Programmes Officer - Ihueze Nwobilor

Three years of service:

• Chief Operating Officer - Nnenna Paul-Ugochukwu

• Senior Manager, Administration and Finance - Adesuyi Ajibade

• Senior Manager, Partnerships and Engagements - Thobekile Matimbe

• Senior Programmes Officer - Khadijah El-Usman

• Communications Officer - Kenneth Oyeniyi

• Senior Officer, Monitoring, Evaluation, Re -

search and Learning - Samuel Ojezele

• Programmes Officer - Sani Suleiman

See group photos here

Support the PIN cause

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 rights-respecting 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.

Thank you for staying with us. We hope you had an amazing time reading. Please leave any feedback at media.enquiry@paradigmhq.org

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December 2024 Newsletter by ParadigmHQ - Issuu