CIPESA works with governments, institutions and communities across Africa to shape a digital future that is inclusive, innovative, accountable and rights-respecting. Here is the whole of it on one page.

By the Numbers

21.8M

People reached in 2025

10,000

Accumulated participants at the Forum on Internet Freedom in Africa

100+

Research reports and policy briefs since 2023

400+

Stakeholders engaged in data governance policy processes across Lesotho, Liberia, Uganda, Madagascar, Rwanda, SADC and the EAC

100+

National human rights institution staff trained across 10 countries since 2024

USD 1.3M

Disbursed grants through the Africa Digital Rights Fund since 2019

What we work on

Digital Rights and Governance

Advancing rights-respecting digital governance across Africa, from freedom of expression, privacy, and access to digital inclusion, accountability, and democratic participation.

Data Governance

Helping governments and institutions turn frameworks such as the African Union Data Policy Framework into practical policy, regulation, and institutional practice.

Research and Policy Analysis

Producing independent research and evidence that informs public debate and policy processes at national, regional, and global levels.

Capacity Building

Building practical skills among regulators, judges, journalists, human rights defenders, and civil society to understand digital risks and put rights-respecting approaches into practice.

Artificial Intelligence

Engaging early in national and global AI governance so African priorities, rights and development needs shape the rules, from national AI strategies and algorithmic accountability to AI and elections and responsible AI in health.

Digital Health

Working on governance of health data, digital health systems, telemedicine and AI-enabled healthcare, with a focus on privacy, equity, accountability and responsible innovation.

Recent Highlights

Lesotho and Liberia validated national data governance policies developed with CIPESA's technical support

Two Constitutional Court cases in Uganda struck down provisions of the Computer Misuse Act criminalising online speech

CIPESA spearheaded the African Declaration on Digital Freedom and Democracy, launched at FIFAfrica25