In this Issue:
Major highlights for this edition:
LIFE Legacy Programme equips 39 Nairobi youth with digital and entrepreneurship skills to bridge the unemployment gap
Paradigm Initiative’s Statement to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Human Rights Situation in Africa at the 79th Ordinary Session
‘Gbenga announces new PIN report on Surveillance Technologies in Africa
PIN decries telecommunications blackout and collective punishment in Sudan
New Paradigm Initiative short film goes live today
Our Updates for the Month of May
Tomorrow we turn a new page. The month of June marks the first half of 2024. It has been an amazing journey, having benefited from the contributions and support of our key stakeholdersBoard of Directors, Funders, Partners, Volunteers and Supporters. The digital rights atmosphere on the African continent and the Global South in general remains wanting in a lot of ways. We however, cannot overlook the gains made thanks to concerted efforts.
May has been a fruitful period for us at Paradigm Initiative, and we can’t wait to share what we have been up to with you.
The Paradigm Initiative Team��
Thought Leadership
Boye and Khadijah deliver lectures at Pan African University campus
PIN Senior Manager, Grants and Programmes Strategy, Adeboye Adegoke, gave a lecture to the 200 level students of Mass Communication at the Pan African University. It had as focus, ‘Surveillance and Data Privacy’, which form part of the course, ‘Internet and Digital Communication.’ Boye, in his lecture, highlighted the need to practice digital hygiene, as in today’s interconnected world, surveillance and data privacy have become paramount concerns. By collecting and managing citizens’ identity information, governments can develop policies to hold platforms and organisations accountable for data privacy breaches, fostering a safer digital environment. Our Senior Programmes Officer, Anglophone West Africa, Khadijah El-Usman too, on May 15th, delivered a guest lecture at the same institution, with focus on Digital Legislation in Nigeria and Africa. The lecture, which provided a comprehensive overview of digital legislation in these regions, highlighted the importance for legal professionals, policymakers, and stakeholders to remain informed and actively involved in shaping digital governance as the landscape evolves. Prioritising a human-centric approach and adapting to technological advancements, she noted, ensures that digital legislation effectively safeguards rights, encourages innovation and cultivates a thriving digital environment.
Paradigm Initiative has published yet another edition of the Digital Policy Digest. This edition features a tribute to the recently adopted Resolution 573 by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights on unlawful targeted communications surveillance, an analysis of Kenya’s Data Protection Act in the Age of Artificial Intelligence and an analysis of the African Union Development Agency – New Partnership for Africa’s Development’s (AUDA-NEPAD) Artificial Intelligence Continental Roadmap for Africa. It also documents digital rights policies and laws and presents guidance on areas needing reform. Check it out here.
Global South Alliance: Position on the Global Digital Compact and the Summit of the Future
In May 2024, the Data Privacy Brasil Research
New Digital Policy Digest alert
Association, together with Research ICT Africa, Aapti Institute, Internet Bolivia, Kenyan ICT Action Network, and Paradigm Initiative, submitted a joint contribution to the UN Digital Global Compact (GDC), being a significant effort. The paper has now been published. With this paper, we seek to address some of the pressing issues for civil society in the field of digital rights, highlighted by the experiences of these organisations, considering the UN Global Digital Compact (GDC) process and the Summit of the Future. Download the paper.
Thobekile at the World Summit on Information Society
This week, Paradigm Initiative was at the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS+20 Forum) in Geneva, Switzerland. PIN contributed to several pertinent discussions on Internet governance and multistakeholderism, digital inclusion through adequate policy frameworks and implementation, AI risk assessments, and their role in advancing human rights, among other conversations. Many thanks to the Global Network Initiative for supporting the participation. Thobekile Matimbe, Paradigm Initiative’s Senior Partnerships and Engagements Manager, spoke
on a panel hosted by ICNL titled “Legal Trends That Impact the Information Society,” citing some of the cyber security laws in Africa that are stifling freedom of expression and the need to build the
capacity of the security sector to navigate the intricate balance between cyber security laws and promoting human rights, emphasising that human rights are not the exception. In addition, several meetings were held with key delegates, such as the OHCHR, to discuss PIN’s priorities and present PIN’s interventions and map collaborations.
What are you reading this weekend?
Over the past month, Paradigm Initiative joined the global community to mark a series of events including the Global Accessibility Awareness Day and the World Telecommunications and Information Society Day. On May 25, we also marked the commemoration of Africa day, a chance to celebrate our being as Africans.
Find time to read a couple of articles pieced together by our team in honour of the commemorations:
Navigating Internet Fragmentation in the African Context: Challenges and Opportunities
Bridging The Digital Divide: A Responsibility For All
Bridging the Gap: The Essential Role of Civil Society in Internet Standard Development Organizations
Events
Undersight online launch
PIN today launched its fourth short film online. Titled Undersight, the short film is adapted from the 2022 report on digital rights and inclusion in Africa, Londa. Undersight exclusively premiered at the 2024 Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum (DRIF24) in Accra, Ghana.
The shortfilm is now available on YouTube
Education Technology Webinar
On May 22nd, PIN hosted a webinar to raise awareness on the pros and cons of using technology platforms for educational purposes. The session was based on the rapid growth of EdTech platforms in Nigeria, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic that compelled the deployment of educational technology platforms to deliver educational services. It was an opportunity to raise awareness among users of EdTech platforms and the public on basic data protection principles, best practices, and relevant laws and policies and motivate them to engage in safe use of these platforms.
Devolved impunity: The rise of violence against bloggers in Kenya’s outskirt counties
Paradigm Initiative, Article 19 Eastern Africa and the Bloggers Association of Kenya (BAKE) on May 20, 2024 joined their voices to condemn the alarming trend of gruesome murders and violence against
bloggers in Kenya. At a roundtable meeting, we called for strengthening of the safety and security of bloggers at the county level who play a vital role in holding county governments accountable and other discourse on public interest matters. It was also an opportunity for us to share best practices and experiences on the right to blog and safety and security for bloggers, and brainstorming on the way forward for strategic advocacy at the county, national and regional level.
PIN and partners host conference on Countering Digital Threats To Democracy in Nairobi Paradigm Initiative joined Development Alternatives, Inc. (DAI), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Digital Frontiers on May 21st and 22nd to host a conference themed ‘Countering Digital Threats To Democracy: Forging A Path To Responsible Digital Development.’ The hybrid event was held in Nairobi, Kenya, and brought together USAID staff across sectors as well as partners in subSaharan Africa to better understand this highly complex and increasingly critical topic. Sessions included local expert perspectives on digital threats to democracy in sub-Saharan Africa as well as innovative solutions being used across the continent. Among others, it presented attendees the chance to ask questions, network with other missions and local organisations, and develop their own ideas for solutions.
LIFE Legacy Programme equips 39 Nairobi youth with digital and entrepreneurship skills
Paradigm Initiative’s efforts to bridge unemployment challenges in Kenya have started bearing fruit. This is reflected in the graduation of the first batch of students from under-served communities under the LIFE Legacy Programme, an initiative spearheaded by Paradigm Initiative (PIN). Thirty-nine students completed the organisation’s 10-week-long LIFE (Life Skills, ICT Skills, Financial Readiness, and Entrepreneurship Skills) Legacy training. The trainees from Cohorts one and two of the programme were handed attestations of completion in a graduation ceremony held at Strathmore University, Nairobi. The event was graced by Mr. Timothy Were, ICT Deputy Director at the Ministry of Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy in Kenya, who highlighted the critical role of digital skills in today’s economy and the importance of empowering youth from underserved communities. More details here.
‘Gbenga tackles Nigeria’s 2015 Cybercrime Act
Our Executive Director, ‘Gbenga Sesan has described Nigeria’s cybercrime act as archaic, and urged media organisations to challenge the legislation. He was panellist at BusinessDay Nigeria’s Policy Intervention Series event on May 16th, themed “Strategies for Safeguarding Press Freedom in an Increasingly Digital Age.” The cybercrime law used arbitrarily, he noted, is old and out of use. “Section 24 that is being used…
no longer exists in the form it used to exist. The vagueness of that section that they use to arrest journalists has disappeared,” he said. The event was held in commemoration of World Press Freedom Day, and aimed at exploring the challenges and opportunities facing press freedom in today’s digital landscape.
PIN’s Statement to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Human Rights Situation in Africa
This year commenced with at least 21 African countries set to hold elections. Among them are countries notorious for internet shutdowns like Mauritania, Chad, South Sudan and Senegal necessitating numerous calls for compliance with international standards promoting freedom of expression and access to information. So far in 2024, Chad and Senegal have exhibited internet disruptions with a blatant disregard for freedom of expression and access to information, yet State parties to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. In light of this, Paradigm Initiative’s Senior Manager, Partnerships and Engagements, Thobekile Matimbe presented a statement to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the state of digital rights in Africa at the institution’s 79th Ordinary Session. See full statement
PIN at ITU-T Africa group Study Group 17
Senior Officer, Programmes, Ihueze Nwobilor joined the ITU-T Africa group Study Group 17 meeting in Marrakech, Morocco from the 27th to the 29th of May 2024, with observer status. The group is concerned with a broad range of security-related standardisation issues such as cybersecurity, security management, security architectures and frameworks, countering spam, identity management, biometrics, protection of personally identifiable information, and the security of applications and services for the Internet of Things (IoT). It was an opportunity to give Civil Society’s perspective to data privacy, data protection and online safety. The meeting provided a thought leadership and visibility opportunity for Paradigm Initiative as the only civil society organisation present at the gathering.
PIN decries telecommunications blackout and collective punishment in Sudan
Sudan has become the world’s worst displacement crisis with a total of more than half of Sudan’s population – nearly 25 million people – requiring humanitarian aid. Over a year of relentless warfare and indiscriminate violence have destroyed homes, towns, livelihoods, and critical civilian infrastructure. Indiscriminate attacks and disruption of telecommunications by warring parties have severely affected civilians’ ability to cope with the effects of the war, as well as aid workers’ capacity to deliver essential services, with local responders most severely impacted. Paradigm Initiative added its voice to those of 93 other Civil Society Organisations to call for an end to collective punishment and disruption of life-saving telecommunications. We
urged all service providers to ensure connectivity in Sudan is immediately restored to ensure that access to the internet remains accessible without interruption or additional cost increases. This includes diversifying the means to access the internet, such as solutions based on satellite (including, though not limited to, Starlink) and WiMAX technology, or the use of eSIMs near the country’s borders. Read the full statement.
‘Gbenga announces new PIN report on Surveillance Technologies in Africa
On May 24 at the 2024 Surveillance and Society Conference in Ljubljana, Slovenia, ‘Gbenga announced the launch of Paradigm Intiative’s latest report titled “The State of Deployment of Surveillance Technologies in Africa.” The research commissioned by Paradigm Initiative with support from Open Society Foundations covers the Central African region, the East African region, the Southern African region and the West African region. The report identifies specific case studies of deployment of surveillance technologies, maps actors in the surveillance ecosystem, and evaluates the regulatory framework and privacy laws landscape in the regions. It also identifies the challenges and concerns in the regions, making recommendations on how they can be remedied. Download the full report
‘Gbenga
and IGF peers meet UN Secretary General
Still on May 24th, ‘Gbenga 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). At the meeting, ‘Gbenga spoke about the origins of the Internet Governance Forum and how the UN process inspired the birth of Paradigm Initiative as a volunteer effort. He used the opportunity to share copies of PIN’s Strategic Management Plan (2024-2028) with the Office of the Secretary-General. Earlier the same day, ‘Gbenga and other members of the IGF Leadership Panel met with Mr. Navid Hanif, the Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Development in the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), who also received a copy of PIN’s strategic plan in addition to learning about on-the-ground impact of the IGF and global policy processes in Africa.
PIN recognised at PrivCon Privacy Awards
The work we do at Paradigm Initiative was honoured at the PrivCOn Privacy Awards 2024. PrivCon 2024 brought together leading practitioners, thought leaders, and changemakers to share knowledge, forge connections, and shape the future of data privacy. At the event, Paradigm Initiative was handed the Privacy Leading Light recognition for its work and impact on digital rights and inclusion across Africa. The aim of the PrivCon Privacy Awards is to recognize and celebrate exceptional contributions to the
advancement of privacy and data protection in Nigeria. We could not have gotten this without you and for that, we are grateful.
