Dear Esteemed Reader,
Today marks the 335th day of the year 2024. As we approach the end of the year, we can’t help but look back with immense gratitude in our hearts. November has been particularly amazing and we are eager to share what we have been up to with you.
Enjoy the read, The Paradigm Initiative Team.
Key Highlights
• DRIF25 call for session proposals launched
• PIN makes its mark at the African Internet Governance Forum
• Keeping the internet open in Mozambique and Mauritius
• 16 Days of Activism against Online Gender-based Violence
• Analysing Cameroon’s new
Personal Data Protection legislation
• New AI Legal Analysis Report launched in Kampala, Uganda
DRIF25 call for session proposals now open
Stakeholders in the digital rights and inclusion space now have an opportunity to advocate for these issues and shape policy development in the Global South. This follows Paradigm Initiative’s call for session proposals for the 2025 Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum (DRIF25), scheduled to be held in Lusaka, Zambia, from 29 April to 1 May 2025.Sessions at DRIF25 will include panel discussions, lightning talks, pre-event workshops, exhibitions, launches, World Café, tech demos, and fireside chats. Thematic areas at DRIF25 include Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies, Trust and Accountability, Data Protection, Privacy and Cybersecurity, Digital Inclusion and Marginalised Groups, Digital Security, and Human Rights and Freedoms. See the details to propose your session.
Keeping the internet open in Mozambique and Mauritius
Paradigm Initiative and other members of the NetRights Coalition (NRC), in an open letter addressed to the National Communications Institute of Mozambique, strongly expressed their disapproval of the series of internet shutdowns that began on 25 October 2024. These disruptions escalated further with internet shutdowns imposed by the government of Mozambique on 3 and 4 November 2024, nine days after the initial disruption of mobile internet traffic by three mobile networks: Vodacom Mozambique, Telecomunicações de Moçambique, and Viettel Group. See the full letter here In a second open letter, the NRC also expressed concern about a directive issued on 1 November 2024 instructing Mauritian telecommunications operators to suspend access to all social media platforms and websites until 11 November 2024, citing public safety and national security concerns. Read the details here
16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence
On 25 November, the world began the 2024 commemoration of the 16 Days of Activism
Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, and Paradigm Initiative is actively playing its part. Through the Net Rights Coalition, we hosted a webinar on 28 November based on this year’s theme: ‘Towards Beijing +30: UNiTE to End Violence Against Women and Girls.’
Speaking at the webinar, Senior Manager for Partnerships and Engagements, Thobekile Matimbe, highlighted PIN’s role in mobilising resources and stakeholders for coordinated action against online gender-based violence. Senior Programmes Officer, Khadijah El-Usman, also took the opportunity to showcase the mechanism and success of the Ayeta toolkit and Ripoti platform, encouraging participants to give them a try.
The webinar, titled ‘Approaches to Ending Gendered Harms Online,’ focused on Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV), its impact on women and girls in the Global South, and innovative solutions for creating safer digital spaces.
Cameroon gets Personal Data Protection legislation
Paradigm Initiative (PIN) has applauded the tabling of a Personal Data Protection Bill in Cameroon’s parliament. The bill, PIN noted in a press release, represents a critical step forward in safeguarding privacy in an era dominated by data-driven technologies. Its provisions establish a foundation for enhanced personal data protection and align Cameroon with global efforts to address the risks of data misuse. While commending the bill for laying the groundwork for robust data protection, we also raised concerns about certain provisions that could undermine the legislation’s potential effectiveness.
In a related development, Paradigm Initiative’s Senior Manager for Grants and Programmes Strategy, Boye Adegoke, analysed the legislation in a recent blog post. Read about it here
Events
Discussing data protection at Privacy Symposium Africa
From 19 to 21 November 2024, Paradigm Initiative (PIN) participated in the 6th edition of the Privacy Symposium Africa, held in Harare, Zimbabwe. Representing PIN, Bridgette Ndlovu, Partnerships and Engagements Officer, took part in a session hosted by Accountability Lab, which focused on Zimbabwe’s Cyber and Data Protection Act and its alignment with human rights principles. The session highlighted current data protection and privacy laws in Zimbabwe, facilitated knowledge-sharing on best practices in data governance, and provided recommendations to enhance the promotion and protection of human rights through robust privacy frameworks. The panel offered an ideal opportunity to address policy inconsistencies, advocate for the protection of the right to privacy, and explore pathways to strengthen data protection legislation across Africa.
Assessing AI policy in Eastern and Southern Africa
Paradigm Initiative has announced the findings of new research examining the legal and policy frameworks governing Artificial Intelligence (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, conducted by Paradigm Initiative and facilitated by TrustLaw, the Thomson Reuters Foundation’s global pro bono network, highlights critical gaps in existing frameworks.
In addition to analysing policies and laws, the study also examines stakeholder involvement in policy-making within the seven countries, identifying a lack of clear guidelines on how public participation should be conducted, despite the fact that most constitutions recognise its necessity.
A key recommendation of the research is that current approaches may be insufficient to address the regulatory challenges posed by AI. The study emphasises the need to benchmark laws against global standards, such as UNESCO’s recommendations on AI ethics, to ensure comprehensive and effective governance. Read more details.
Joining stakeholders at the forefront of Global digital security
Senior Programmes Officer, Khadijah El-Usman represented our Executive Director, ‘Gbenga Sesan at the International Collaboration and Regulation High-Level session of the Child Online Safety Protection and Reporting of Abuse (COSPRA) Nigeria Summit. Key discussions included how governments, organisations, and tech companies can work together to develop and enforce consistent regulations across borders, ensuring child safety and privacy. With the overarching theme: Child Online Safety, Protection and Reporting of Abuse in Nigeria, COSPRA was organised by the Ndukwe Kalu Foundation, a nonprofit that promotes knowledge in ICT and proper use of the Internet.
Thobekile at GNI annual learning
forum November 19
Our Senior manager, Partnerships & Engagements, Thobekile Matimbe was at the Global Network Initiative (GNI) annual
learning forum on the 19th of November. Thobekile took a session on “New Dynamics in Government Demands of Tech: Respecting Digital Rights Amidst Changing Regulatory, Technical, and Political Landscapes.” Speaking at the event, she emphasised how laws, policies, and practices in Africa are being used to make unjustifiable demands on the private sector and made recommendations on how repressive contexts can be better navigated.
Bridgette shares insights at Global Data Governance conference
On 25 and 26 November 2024, Paradigm Initiative (PIN) participated in the Data Privacy Global Conference (DPGC) in São Paulo, Brazil, a premier event that brings together experts, policymakers, and industry leaders to address challenges in data protection and governance.
Partnerships and Engagements Officer Bridgette Ndlovu joined a panel on Global Governance of Technologies, where discussions highlighted significant developments in global tech governance over the past year, the roles of the G20, United Nations, and other key actors in shaping governance frameworks, and the balance between data sovereignty and the free flow of data with trust to promote innovation and security.
PIN also participated in the opening panel alongside its Global South Alliance (GSA) partners, Aapti and Data Privacy Brazil, setting the stage for inclusive and impactful discussions.
PIN pitches tent at Technology, New media and Citizens Governance Forum
Paradigm Initiative participated in the Technology, New Media, Citizens, and Governance (TNCG) Conference yesterday, 28 November, held under the theme ‘Technology: The Present and Future of Political Action in Africa.’ Our Executive Director, ‘Gbenga Sesan, took part in the closing plenary titled ‘Relevance of the Private Sector as Technology Innovators.’ The conference explored technology’s influence on political action in Africa, addressing both the demand and supply sides of governance. It also provided an opportunity to examine the impact of new media tools, including social media platforms such as TikTok, as well as emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI).
HakiConf 2024: PIN commits $10,000 to digital rights advocacy in Francophone
Africa
Paradigm Initiative is pleased to have participated in Rudi International’s 2024 Conference on Human Rights in the Digital Age (HakiConf). Currently in its fifth edition, the 28–29 November gathering in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), served as a platform for critical discussions on digital rights in the context of technological transformation. Speaking at the event, ‘Gbenga Sesan highlighted PIN’s commitment to dedicating $10,000 to support strategic litigation cases addressing digital rights violations in Francophone Africa. HakiConf is the first event of its kind in the DRC and Francophone Africa, providing a space for dialogue between civil society actors, policymakers, legislative decision-makers, private sector representatives, and human rights activists. Since its inception in 2018 in Goma, the conference has raised awareness of issues related to internet access, freedom of expression, privacy, and the protection of personal data, among others.
PIN makes its mark at Africa and Central African Internet Governance Forums
On 20 November, the PIN team participated in two significant sessions at the 2024 Africa Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The sessions were titled ‘Creative Communications: The Power of Audiovisual Mediums in Mainstreaming Digital Rights’ and ‘Assessing Universal Service Funds in 26 African Countries.’ Team members in attendance included Executive Director ‘Gbenga Sesan, Communications Manager Judith Ogutu, and Communications Officer Kenneth Oyeniyi. The Africa IGF serves as a crucial platform for fostering open and inclusive dialogue on Internet governance issues shaping Africa’s digital landscape. Similarly, on 7–8 November, our Programmes Officer for Francophone Africa, Moussa Waly Sene, participated in the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) for Central Africa, held in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The forum, themed ‘Digital Transition in the Context of AI: Current Trends and Opportunities for Central Africa,’ focused on the evolving landscape of digital transformation within the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) region. Moussa’s involvement included delivering a keynote address and engaging in a series of sessions and interactions with key
stakeholders in the region’s digital rights and inclusion space. PIN’s participation provided an opportunity to explore emerging trends and innovative solutions for harnessing the region’s potential while addressing critical challenges in digital rights and inclusivity.
Paradigm Initiative was thrilled to host three sessions at this year’s MozFest House in Zambia, sparking vital conversations on digital policy, inclusion, and artificial intelligence across Africa.
The three sessions featured Miriam Wanjiru, Programmes Officer East African and Chiti Mutati, Programmes Officer, Southern African. The sessions focused on Artificial Intelligence and Digital Platform Governance in Africa and Digital Rights and Artificial Intelligence in Southern Africa. The forum also presented an opportunity to screen PIN’s latest short film, Undersight where we highlighted storytelling as a tool for societal impact. These sessions demonstrated PIN’s commitment to fostering collaboration, innovation, and advocacy for an inclusive digital future across Africa.
PIN at MozFest in Lusaka, Zambia
Sani attends Annual UN Business and Human Rights Forum
Our Programmes Officer, Sani Suleiman Sani was in Geneva attending the annual United Nations Business and Human Rights Forum. During the event, he was part of three different panels where he shared different perspectives on the global governance of emerging technologies and the corporate responsibility/ liability in respecting Human Rights throughout the lifecycle of their technology.
Thought Leadership
awareness has led to poor precedents on the African continent, where internet access has been restricted either overtly or subtly, through bold government notices or egregious throttling methods.
PIN’s Senior Manager for Partnerships and Engagements, Thobekile Matimbe, dissects these internet shutdowns as acts of defiance in a new blog post. Read the blog post here
‘Those with Big Phones Have the Upper Hand’
PIN Executive Director, ‘Gbenga Sesan, is a co-author of a new publication, alongside colleagues from the Institute of Development Studies, supported by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). Titled ‘Those with big phones have the upper hand’: Political, Gender and Digital Exclusions in Cash and Voucher Assistance in North East Nigeria, the basic research working paper highlights critical barriers preventing the most vulnerable from accessing cash and voucher assistance (CVA) in protracted crises. It further notes that while digital tools bring convenience, they can also exclude those without access or digital skills. Read the full publication Internet shutdowns: Acts of defiance
Elections are a sensitive time when information should flow freely to the electorate, enabling political parties to reach voters and ensuring information is constantly accessible to guard against misinformation and disinformation. However, in 2024, several countries have entered the hall of shame for imposing internet shutdowns during elections. The deliberate lack of human rights
Policy Brief Alert: Making a case for marginalised workers
Paradigm Initiative’s latest brief, Strengthening Digital Social Protection for Marginalised Workers is now available. It emphasises the importance of collaboration in policy development and implementation. The brief aims to influence policymakers and other stakeholders involved in the design and im-
plementation of Digital Social Protection to implement inclusive systems that effectively serve marginalised workers, ensuring no one is left behind in the digitalisation process. Read the complete Policy Brief here
LIFE Legacy Echoes
LIFE Legacy Partners Capacity Building Workshop
On November 12 and 13, Paradigm Initiative hosted the LIFE Legacy Capacity Building workshop for partners, inspired by some operational challenges with partner organisations particularly in financial and administra-
tive processes. The endeavour was integral to the overarching goal of hosting impactful training programmes. Equipping partner organisations with the necessary tools and knowledge among others, it meant to help them build sustainable organisations and deliver high-quality training sessions that resonate with participants and drive meaningful change.
Podcast Alert!
A new episode of the PIN Podcast is out! This episode, centered around digital rights and inclusion, and what we can do at an individual level to close the digital divide, is the last one for 2024. Kindly set aside time to listen and also share with your networks.
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
