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Today marks the end of the third quarter of the year 2024. At this juncture, we reflect and appreciate the contribution of all stakeholders who have consistently ensured we keep the fire burning and impact lives across the African continent. September was a special month for Paradigm Initiative, as we made new strides in our quest for digital rights and inclusion quest in the region, and beyond. We have come from far and we remain confident that walking this path with you will take us farther.
Enjoy the read, The Paradigm Initiative Team.
Key Highlights
• PIN at the UN Summit of the Future
• Ajegunle Legacy Scholarship: PIN launches call for second edition
• Stemming the Tide of Abuse in Nigeria’s Digital Space
• Digital Lending Apps: What you need to know before seeking another loan
• Paradigm Initiative echoes commitment to the Monitoring and Implementation of the Global Digital Compact
• Digital ID Day 2024: Advancing legal identity for all in the digital age
• Paradigm Initiative makes mark at East Africa Internet Governance Forum

PIN at the UN Summit of the Future
Paradigm Initiative participated in a series of sessions at the recently concluded United Nations Summit of the Future in New York, USA. Our team comprised of the Executive Director, ‘Gbenga Sesan, Senior Manager, Grants and Programmes Strategy, Adeboye Adegoke and Senior Manager, Partnerships and Engagements, Thobekile Matimbe engaged in various high-level events, including the UN Internet Governance Forum Leadership Panel Meeting, the Global South Alliance Meeting, and the Summit itself, which focused on
shaping an action-oriented Pact for the Future. The Summit of the Future took place between September 2223, was designed to foster international cooperation around key global priorities, including sustainable development and financing, international peace and security, science, technology, and innovation, digital cooperation, and empowering youth and future generations. The meeting provided an invaluable platform for addressing key issues such as digital inclusion, digital rights, and the future of education. By engaging in high-level discussions on cybersecurity, content regulation, and digital infrastructure, the PIN team contributed to shaping a more equitable and inclusive digital future. The team was in New York, USA between 19th and 25th September.
AI for humanity: Adeboye gives Africa a voice
On the sidelines of the Summit of the Future, PIN Senior Manager for Grants and Programmes Strategy, Adeboye Adegoke had the privilege of sharing the podium with U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and other global leaders at the 79th UN General Assembly High-Level Ministerial
Event on AI for Humanity: Charting the Global Course for Human RightsBased Governance. They engaged in critical discussions on aligning AI governance with human rights and international law, shaping the future of AI for the betterment of humanity. The session was convened by the Kingdom of the Netherlands, 2024 Chair of the Freedom Online Coalition (FOC), with foreign ministers, UN representatives, civil society, and industry representatives in attendance. Watch Adeboye’s submission here.

Paradigm Initiative echoes commitment to the Monitoring and Implementation of the Global Digital Compact
Paradigm Initiative has embraced the adoption of the Pact of the Future with the Annexed Global Digital Compact (GDC), describing it as one that demonstrates the importance
of ensuring that technology is designed and used in a way that does not violate human rights, but takes advantage of the benefits to bridge the digital divides. The adoption of the Pact of the Future was one of the major outcomes of the UN Summit for the Future in New York, USA. In response to the Interactive Dialogue on Enhancing Multilateralism for International Peace and Security at the UN Summit of the Future, Paradigm Initiative also highlighted the importance of a multistakeholder approach to fostering the rights-respecting development of technology that supports peace and security. “We believe tackling information disorders such as hate speech and violent extremism, establishing consensus over key definitions of terms such as cybercrimes to foster a common understanding of what they are in the realm of peace and security is critical,” said Thobekile Matimbe, Senior Manager, Partnerships and Engagements. See details of our statement.

Ajegunle Legacy Scholarship: PIN launches call for second edition
Applications are now open for the second edition of Paradigm Initiative’s Ajegunle Legacy Scholarship, providing brilliant students an opportunity to secure funding to further their education. Named after the Ajegunle Community in Lagos, Nigeria, the initiative annually supports four young Ajegunle residents by providing them with full scholarships for their studies in the country. The scholarship is divided into two categories. One category, the Ajegunle Legacy Scholarship, supports two young persons (male and female) in getting advanced software development training annually. The second category, the Taiwo Bankole Prize, supports two young people (one male and one female) to acquire university education in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) or law. Kindly pass this information on to any potential beneficiaries you might know residing in Ajegunle.
PIN trains law enforcement officers on policy-making
On September 3rd and 4th, we host-
On September 6th, we added our voice to those of other members of the Net Rights Coalition (NRC) to express discontentment with the blocking of the social media application, X, on Tanzania’s main internet service ed our latest edition of Stemming the Tide of Abuse in Nigeria’s Digital Space (STANDS) workshop for law enforcement officers. With support from the Kingdom of the Netherlands, we enhanced the capacity of the officers in policy-making, enforcement, and adjudication related to Internet governance. Through the workshop, we also equipped participants with the knowledge and skills needed to protect human rights ensuring they can serve and protect all communities in Nigeria with integrity and respect. On the sidelines of the STANDS workshop, we also hosted the Digital Policy Engagement Series (DiPES), centered on Nigeria’s AI strategy and E-Governance Bill. It was an avenue to take a critical look at legislative documents shaping Nigeria’s digital landscape, as well as initiate crucial discussions and insights with policymakers, civil society, and other key stakeholders.
Net Rights Coalition condemns Internet censorship in Tanzania
providers, which occurred on August 30. The move was carried out by the Tanzanian government, in response to alleged opposition party plans to raid police stations where political prisoners were allegedly being held. This regrettable move of internet censorship was yet another instance of Tanzania’s troubling history of restricting internet access during critical national events, undermining fundamental rights to information and expression. Find our full statement here.

Ripoti is now live!
At the 2024 Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum (DIF24) in Accra Ghana, we launched version 2.0 of our digital rights reporting platform, Ripoti. As a follow-up to this, Ripoti now has dedicated social media handles on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram. By following, liking, and sharing Ripoti’s posts, you can help amplify the conversation around dig-
ital rights and empower more people to take action. Let us spread the word and continue making an impact together. Please follow, and share to help Ripoti grow its reach. To learn more about Ripoti and how it works, check this link.
Events

Digital Rights Academy in Tanzania
Paradigm Initiative (PIN), Tanzania Media for Community Development (TAMCODE) and Youth Environmental Justice and Gender Equality (YOGE) on Thursday September 5th hosted a Digital Rights Academy in Dodoma, Tanzania. Graced by Hon.
Jabir Shekimweri, District Commissioner for Dodoma Municipal, the academy featured insightful and educative exchanges on data rights and digital security, in the process empowering women candidates and sitting politicians. Despite their vital contributions to social and economic progress, women face significant discrimination especially in their quest for political seats. At the academy, these leaders were equipped with essential tools to enhance their effectiveness and digital safety during and after campaigns for meaningful community development.

‘Gbenga and Miriam represent PIN at East
African IGF
On September 11th and 12th, our Executive Director, ‘Gbenga Sesan and Programmes Officer, East Africa, Miriam Wanjiru attended the East Africa Internet Governance Forum in Kampala, Uganda. On September 12th,
‘Gbenga was on the High-Level Panel held under the theme ‘Building our Multi-stakeholder Digital Future for East Africa’. On the same day, Miriam joined panellists to discuss digital rights in Kenya, at a session themed ‘All eyes on Kenya’s Impunity! Examining the Abductions and Arbitrary Arrests of 50+ Digital Activists.’ Held under the theme ‘Building our Multistakeholder Digital Future for East Africa,’ the East Africa IGF was aimed at creating an inclusive, multilateral, multi-stakeholder and multilingual discussion platform to address crucial issues that enhance Internet development and governance in East Africa.
Bridgette at African Youth and Human Rights Conference
Our Partnerships and Engagements Officer, Bridgette Ndlovu participated as a panellist in an African Youth and Human Rights Conference that was organised by the Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria on the 3rd and 4th of September, 2024. The conference examined the information landscapes in Uganda and Zimbabwe and highlighted the challenges that African youth encounter when exercising their right to freedom of expression online. The session also
sought to address the shrinking civic space in restrictive environments. At the event, she also highlighted PIN’s Londa report and shared the state of digital rights in Zimbabwe and the role of young people.

NRC Quarterly Webinar: Unpacking the African Digital Compact
PIN and other members of the Net Rights Coalition (NRC) on September 18th, hosted the quarterly Net Rights Coalition Webinar, Unpacking the African Digital Compact and its implications on Africa’s digital future. It was an avenue to unpack the Africa Digital Compact in the context of the Global Digital Compact as well as discuss the challenges and opportunities presented by the compact
and provide recommendations for a digitally inclusive Africa. Anchored in Agenda 2063 and the AU Digital Transformation Strategy, the Compact aligns with the Global Digital Compact while addressing Africa’s unique challenges and opportunities. Its main goal is to harness the power of digital technologies for sustainable development, innovation, and inclusivity. More details on the work of the NRC can be viewed here.

Sustainable funding for NGOs at FIFAfrica
Participating at the Forum on Internet Freedom in Africa (FIFAfrica), Paradigm Initiative’s Senior Managers Adeboye Adegoke (Grants & Programmes Strategy) and Adesuyi Ajibade (Finance & Administration) had an insightful session on financial sustainability in digital rights projects across Africa. Adesuyi’s presentation bordered on the need for organisa-
tions to seek a mix of funding avenues to reduce dependency on any single source. He also underscored the need for effective financial management, capacity building, community engagement and strategic planning to guarantee long-term visioning and planning, both essential for aligning financial strategies with the Organisation’s mission and goals. He further shared a couple of tools to help organisations identify patterns, provide Insight into spending patterns, improve budgeting and assess their reliance on external funding sources compared to overall income.