The month of March has been fruitful. From celebrating women and learning to keep them safe in digital spaces to tackling platform governance and training journalists on digital rights. We hope this has been the case for you, too, despite the changing operating environment that we are currently witnessing in the civil society space. We choose to look at the brighter side of things.
As we look forward to April, we are optimistic that this will be a productive period where we continue to do impactful work and transform numerous lives across Africa and in the Global South.
Enjoy the read.
The Paradigm Initiative Team.
Key Highlights Rights
• Major data privacy win in Nigeria
• 31 days to DRIF25: All you need to know
• Senegal’s Technological New Deal –A Digital Ambition Tested by Digital
• PIN at Artificial Intelligence AI Standards Hub Global Summit
• Big Tech vs. Governments: Who Should Regulate the Regulators?
As part of our commitment to addressing TechFacilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) and fostering safer digital spaces, Paradigm Initiative (PIN) hosted a special webinar on March 13, 2025, to engage our French-speaking audience. Hosted by Programmes Officer, Moussa Waly Sene, the session explored the impact of TFGBV, and outlined strategies for online safety. It was also an opportunity to highlight the role of different stakeholders— including men—in combating harmful digital behaviors.
Another major win for Data Privacy in Nigeria
The month of March starting on a good footing was not only for us at PIN, but for a data privacy violation victim in Nigeria. The Federal High Court in Abuja ruled against a popular restaurant chain for unlawfully using a customer’s personal data for direct marketing without consent. The court awarded ₦3 million in compensation and ordered the restaurant to delete the customer’s data and stop sending unsolicited messages. The case, which was reported through PIN’s Ripoti platform, sets a strong precedent for privacy rights and data protection in Nigeria, and further demonstrates the power of digital rights advocacy. See details and remember to spread the word.
PIN at Artificial Intelligence AI Standards Hub Global Summit
On March 17, our Executive Director, ‘Gbenga Sesan contributed to AI conversations around Human Rights and for the Global South at the AI Standards Hub Global Summit in London, speaking at the session titled ‘The role of Civil Society and Human Rights expertise in shaping AI Standards.’ He also served on the International Panel on the Information Environment’s Scientific Panel on Global Standards for AI Audits. The AI Standard Hub’s inaugural Global Summit explored the
critical role of standards in AI governance, examining recent developments, key challenges, and emerging needs to foster global inclusiveness and collaboration in AI standardisation. Organised in partnership with the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the Partnership on AI, the two-day event brought together diverse stakeholders from across the international AI ecosystem to examine the current state of AI standardisation and explore the evolving role of standards in relation to AI governance frameworks and emerging regulation globally.
Big Tech vs. Governments: Who Should Regulate the Regulators?
On March 25th, Paradigm Initiative hosted a Twitter Space on the need to regulate Big Tech corporations which are typically seen as regulators themselves. The conversation unpacked multiple ongoing clashes between governments and Big Tech over platform governance across the globe. Exploring real-world examples of these conflicts,
it examined the underlying tensions and the diverse approaches taken by different nations, addressing the unique vulnerabilities of countries in the Global South, where weak data protection regulations can leave citizens particularly susceptible to exploitation.
Net Rights Coalition builds resilience in Activism webinar
Building Resilience for Digital Rights Activism was the theme of the Net Rights Coalition’s quarterly webinar on March 19. Moderated by PIN’s Partnerships and Engagements Officer, Bridgette Ndlovu, the virtual roundtable discussion brought together digital rights activists, civil society organisations, and legal experts, who explored strategies for sustainability and impact. The webinar stemmed from the need for stronger and more resilient movements in the face of growing digital repression and the shift in the global funding landscape.
Events
31 days to DRIF25
We are one month away from the 2025 edition of the Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum (DRIF25), taking place in Lusaka, Zambia, from April 29th to May 1st, 2025, under the theme “Promoting Digital Ubuntu in Approaches to Technology.” DRIF25 has a lot in store including the release of our fifth short film, the 2024 Londa report, a book chronicling the Paradigm Initiative story, as well as insightful conversations on different thematic areas. Registration is on-going upon purchase of a supporter’s ticket, starting from $50 until 7th April 2025. You can also acquire a ticket to support our efforts in building a vibrant platform for discussion on tech issues. Visit our website www.drif.paradigmhq.org to learn more. Support DRIF today.
From Naivasha to Lilongwe and Yaounde: Spreading the digital rights message
On March 13 and 14, Paradigm Initiative hosted a Digital Rights Academy in Naivasha, Kenya. Working with the Bloggers Association of Kenya (BAKE) and Article 19 Eastern Africa, PIN also released a report highlighting threats Kenyan bloggers face as they go about their work. The next edition of the Academy took place on March 25 and 26 in Lilongwe, Malawi, followed by our Digital Rights and Election in Africa Monitor (DREAM) session. DREAM brought together key elections stakeholders to discuss policy guidance on the protection of digital rights and or to conscientise critical actors on how to monitor elections with a digital rights lens, in order to foster digital rights in the election process. In the weeks ahead, PIN will be taking the Digital Rights Academy and Digital Rights and Election in Africa Monitor to Yaounde, Cameroon for similar exchanges with respective stakeholders. Keep it here for more details.
Thought Leadership
Launch of Report in Kenya
Our new report on the State of Safety and Security of Bloggers in Kenya shows an increase in the number of deaths, abductions and arrests of bloggers and activists in Kenya in 2024. The report titled ‘Devolved Impunity: The Safety and Security of Bloggers in Kenya (2019 – 2024)’ produced by Paradigm Initiative, Bloggers Association of Kenya and Article 19 Eastern Africa maps violations covering the period between 2019 and 2024. It indicates that the safety and security of bloggers in Kenya remain precarious, with the majority of the challenges arising from legal, political and technological threats. Read the full report
Discussing Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights in Africa
On March 20, 2025, Senior Programmes Officer, Khadijah El-Usman, joined a panel of experts at a workshop on Human Rights Dimensions of AI Governance and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Bringing together experts, regulators, and industry leaders to explore the ethical, legal, and governance implications of AI on human rights in Africa, the workshop was organised by the International Network for Corporate Social Responsibility (IN-CSR).
Digital Inclusion and Connectivity: Delivering on the Global Digital Compact
On March 18, 2025, our ED, ‘Gbenga Sesan joined other experts at the Digital Inclusion and Connectivity Roundtable discussion to speak about aspects of the recently adopted Global Digital Compact (GDC). During the panel, ‘Meaningful Connectivity for Digital Inclusion,’ he shared insights on the barriers to universal
access and innovative solutions to bridge the digital divide. Other speakers on the panel included Martha Suarez of Dynamic Spectrum Alliance, and Peter Bloom of Rhizomatica. The session focused on global efforts to ensure digital literacy benefits all and discussed ways to bring connectivity to underserved communities worldwide.
Media Corner
This month, Paradigm Initiative was featured in the media. Below are some excerpts of the coverage we received;
• How internet censorship is undermining Kenya’s digital future: Kenya’s digital landscape, once a thriving space for open discourse and economic innovation, is facing increased censorship that threatens both civil liberties and business interests. What are these threats and what is the way out? Capital Business paints the picture.
• The Time Capsule: Our Impact, Our Story: Paradigm Initiative is currently running an internal campaign designed to celebrate and reflect on the work anniversaries of our team members. This campaign is aimed at connecting individual contributions to the organisation’s vision of a digitally inclusive and rights-respecting world and our mission to shape policy, defend rights and build capacity in the digital environment towards a digitally inclusive and rights-respecting world. In the month of March, we celebrate two team members: our Executive Director, ‘Gbenga Sesan, who has spent seventeen years in the organisation, and Programmes Officer for East Africa, Miriam Beatrice Wanjiru, who has spent two years on the team. Join us celebrate their work on the team.
• Bringing LIFE to Calabar, Nigeria: When was the first time you ever used a computer? For many African youth, the answer is ‘never’. Thanks to the Life Skills, ICTs, Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurship (LIFE) Legacy initiative, the lives of many young people across the continent are changing for the better. In communities such as Yala and Ogoga in Calabar, Nigeria, dozens of young people have not only had the opportunity to see what a computer looks like but also learnt to use and interact with it on a daily basis as part of the LIFE Legacy initiative. Watch our implementing partner, the Impact Foundation for Youth Development, highlight the impact of the LIFE Legacy initiative on its beneficiaries.
• Podcast Alert - Her Digital Space: Women, Power and Online Freedom: The latest edition of the Paradigm Initiative podcast is now streaming on YouTube. In tandem with the commemoration of March as Women’s Month, it dives into the complexities of navigating the digital space as a woman. Our guests also highlight how women and girls can stay safe on the web and the role of men as partners in the fight against online gender-based vices. Let us not spoil it. Listen to the podcast, and be sure to share your feedback with us.
Weekend Read
From Access to Impact: Strengthening Financial Inclusion Through Digital Rights
Financial inclusion refers to all initiatives that make formal financial services available, accessible, and affordable to all segments of the population. As with all things “inclusion”, it requires special attention to specific portions of the population that have been historically excluded from the formal financial sector, either because of their income level and volatility, gender, location, type of activity, level of financial literacy, or more. While financial inclusion can drive digital inclusion by incentivizing digital adoption, the two must be advanced together to create a fair and inclusive digital economy. PIN Senior Programmes Officer, Anglophone West Africa, Khadijah ElUsman sheds light in a recent blogpost.
Senegal’s Technological New Deal –A Digital Ambition Tested by Digital Rights
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.
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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.
