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02Apr

India AI Impact Summit: A Missed Opportunity for Africa’s Voice in Global AI Governance

Author CIPESA Posted on

By Lillian Nalwoga |

The India AI Impact Summit, held on February 16-21, 2026, was themed “Sarvajan Hitaya, Sarvajan Sukhaya” (Welfare for all, Happiness for all). It was expected to be a platform for South-to-South cooperation. However, despite Africa’s growing AI ambitions and strategic participation in preparatory working groups, the summit exposed a stark representation gap, raising concerns about Africa’s ability to influence the future of global AI governance.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) presents a transformative opportunity for Africa, with projections indicating it could contribute up to USD 1 trillion to the continent’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2035. This significant potential underscores Africa’s growing ambition to harness AI for inclusive growth while positioning itself as a key player in global AI governance.

Many African countries are engaging with AI proactively, seeking to harness its benefits across various sectors. Countries such as Rwanda, Nigeria, Kenya, and Egypt have demonstrated strategic foresight in their AI initiatives. Rwanda, for instance, co-chaired the human-capital working group at the Summit, in line with its national AI strategy to become a global hub for AI research and innovation. Nigeria, as Africa’s largest economy, is focused on utilising AI for inclusive growth, while Kenya and Egypt are contributing to broader debates on AI ethics and digital infrastructure.

The African Union’s Continental AI Strategy, adopted in July 2024, further solidifies this commitment. The strategy emphasises an Africa-centric, development-focused approach to AI, promoting ethical, responsible, and equitable practices. Key pillars of this strategy include data sovereignty, ethical frameworks, and inclusive governance.

Across the continent, initiatives are emerging, such as South Africa’s establishment of AI institutes and Ghana’s investments in AI for agriculture and healthcare projects. These efforts highlight a continent actively pursuing AI integration to address its unique challenges and opportunities.

Despite the summit’s promise of inclusivity and South-to-South cooperation, African voices were largely absent from high-level sessions and critical decision-making forums. Only two African heads of state, from Mauritius and Seychelles, and ministers from Rwanda, Kenya, Egypt and Togo, attended  the global summit. This limited presence stood in stark contrast to the dominant participation of tech giants and diplomatic delegations from the Global North, undermining the summit’s stated goal of elevating Global South perspectives.

Despite strong enthusiasm from leading African AI startups, who showcased their innovative solutions,  the lukewarm African endorsement of the summit’s Impact Document exposed a clear disconnect. Only 11 African countries out of the 92 countries that attended endorsed the declaration that calls for “international cooperation and multistakeholder engagement.” This limited endorsement suggests either inadequate consultation with African stakeholders or a mismatch between the summit agenda and Africa’s priorities.

Notably, African civil society voices, academic experts, and private-sector leaders – those most intimately familiar with the continent’s challenges and opportunities – were largely sidelined at an event meant to champion South-South cooperation. Their absence highlights a significant gap between the summit’s stated commitment to inclusivity and the reality of who was heard.

The under-representation of African voices at global digital governance forums like the India AI Impact Summit has significant implications. As AI becomes increasingly central to economic competitiveness and social development, Africa’s marginalisation could impede its ability to fully harness AI’s potential while protecting its citizens’ interests.

African initiatives, such as Nigeria’s push for data sovereignty and Egypt’s integration of AI into sustainable development, deserve a prominent seat at the global table. Without more equitable representation, Africa’s vision for an ethical and inclusive AI future risks being overshadowed by agendas primarily driven by the Global North.

Africa still faces significant AI governance challenges, including incomplete digital policy frameworks, limited financial resources for consistent participation in global policy meetings, and weak coordination among governments, companies, and civil society. However, these constraints should not prevent it from equal representation in global digital governance forums.

These participation challenges are not unique to Africa: members of the Global South Alliance have similarly called for more meaningful and diverse engagement in global digital governance, in their letter to the India AI Summit Organising Committee. Initiatives such as the Multistakeholder Approach to Participation to AI Governance have also stressed the need to ensure that global AI conversations are informed by the “voices and experiences of those who are most impacted by the development and diffusion of AI.”

Africa has enormous AI potential, a clear strategic vision, and growing initiatives to harness AI for sustainable development. The representation gap evident at the India AI Summit highlights the urgent need to ensure that voices from the Global South, including Africa, are not only heard but are influential in shaping global AI governance.

Strengthening the capacity of national regulators and policymakers to craft progressive AI policies and engage effectively in global AI negotiations is essential. Leveraging continental frameworks such as the African Union AI Strategy can help shape common negotiating positions. At the same time, empowering civil society to provide evidence-based, rights-respecting input to national and global AI frameworks will help ensure more citizen-centered policymaking and more equitable participation in national, regional, and international policy processes. As the world prepares for the upcoming UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance in July and the Global AI Summit 2027 in Geneva, the first annual report of the 40-member UN Independent International Scientific Panel on AI that is due in July 2026 will be a crucial test of whether African priorities can be adequately reflected in global AI governance processes.

01Apr

Assessing the Impact of the 2026 Internet Shutdown on Uganda’s Digital Economy

Author CIPESA Posted on

By Nadhifah Muhammad |

On January 13, 2026, two days prior to Uganda’s general election, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) ordered an internet shutdown purportedly to mitigate misinformation, electoral fraud and incitement of violence. This mirrored the two previous elections in the country, each of which had economic consequences due to the disruption of digital communications and services.

In the latest disruption, some essential services were exempted, such as healthcare systems, core banking platforms, immigration and aviation systems. However, key sectors of Uganda’s digital economy, íncluding ride-hailing and delivery systems, fintech services, e-Commerce, and digital health providers, were inaccessible. Data from the Cost of Internet Shutdown Tool (COST) estimates that Uganda lost Uganda Shillings (UGX) 59.7 billion (USD 16 million) during the almost five day internet shutdown. More was lost when social media and mobile money services remained constrained beyond the five days.

Notably, the severe direct economic losses and indirect impacts are likely to persist beyond the duration of the shutdown. During the shutdown, businesses dependent on digital platforms were unable to process transactions, communicate with customers, or coordinate logistics. Beyond the immediate financial losses suffered over the days the internet was off, the disruption unsettled supply chains, interrupted livelihoods, and raised concerns among investors about the reliability of Uganda’s digital infrastructure.

This brief examines the direct and indirect financial losses of the shutdown and highlights measures to various stakeholders need to safeguard a reliable digital economy as a key driver of Uganda’s digital transformation, these include;

  • Development and roll out comprehensive business continuity plans for the digital economy during elections and emergency situations.
  • Adoption of digital safety and security practices for detecting and mitigating risks and optimising systems to support business continuity amidst such disruptions. 
  • Advocacy for an enabling legal and policy environment for the digital economy.
  • Undertaking continuous capacity building for businesses in digital resilience.
  • Collaboration among stakeholders – business associations, civil society, academia and the legal fraternity in challenging shutdowns through strategic litigation.

Access the full brief here.

23Mar

CIPESA Public Dialogue Series: Interrogating Digital Public Infrastructure in East Africa

Author CIPESA Posted on

By CIPESA Writer |

Digital transformation is reshaping governance, service delivery, and civic life across Africa. At the centre of this transformation is the growing adoption of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) — foundational interoperable digital systems such as digital identity programmes, payment systems, and data exchange frameworks that enable governments to deliver services at scale.

Across Eastern Africa, governments are increasingly investing in DPI as a core pillar of their digital transformation strategies. These systems promise to improve administrative efficiency, expand access to services, and support more inclusive digital economies.

However, DPI is not merely a technical infrastructure. It is also an institutional and political infrastructure. The way these systems are designed, governed, and implemented can shape power relations, accountability structures, privacy protections, and citizen participation in the digital state.

Despite the growing importance of DPI, public debate around these systems remains limited. A study by the Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA) into media coverage of DPI in Eastern Africa shows that reporting is largely government-centric and event-driven, focusing primarily on announcements and service delivery benefits while giving limited attention to governance arrangements, procurement processes, rights protections, and questions of inclusion.

Strengthening informed public discourse around DPI is therefore critical. Greater participation by civil society, journalists, policymakers, technologists, and citizens can help ensure that emerging digital systems are transparent, accountable, inclusive, and aligned with the public interest.

To contribute to this goal, CIPESA is convening a series of public dialogues on DPI in Eastern Africa. Through four in-depth discussions, the CIPESA public dialogue series will explore key dimensions of DPI implementation such as governance and accountability, data protection and trust, inclusion and equity, and cross-regional learning, while bringing together diverse stakeholders to deepen public understanding and encourage more critical engagement with the region’s digital transformation.

The details of the CIPESA Public Dialogue dare listed below. Be sure to mark your calendar for each dialogue!

Follow @cipesaug on social media and join the conversation using #DPIAfrica and #DPIJournalism.

Dialogue 1: Interrogating DPI: Governance, Power, and Accountability

Background: As governments across Eastern Africa accelerate the rollout of Digital Public Infrastructure systems, questions of governance, oversight, and accountability are becoming increasingly important.

While DPI initiatives are often presented as tools for efficiency and innovation, they also shape power relations within the digital state. Decisions about who designs these systems, who controls the data they generate, and how procurement and partnerships are structured can significantly influence how public digital systems operate and whom they ultimately serve.

Yet public scrutiny of these governance questions remains limited. Media coverage frequently focuses on the technical benefits of DPI, such as improved service delivery, while giving less attention to governance arrangements, procurement transparency, and mechanisms for accountability when systems fail.

This dialogue will examine the political economy of DPI, focusing on questions of governance, oversight, transparency, and accountability as the region expands its digital infrastructure.

Date: March 24, 2026 | 15:00 PM Nairobi | Reserve your seat

Dialogue 2: Interrogating DPI: Data, Privacy, and Trust

Background: Digital Public Infrastructure systems depend heavily on the collection, processing, and exchange of large volumes of personal data. While these systems can improve efficiency and coordination across government services, they also raise significant questions about privacy, surveillance, and data protection.

Public discourse around DPI in Eastern Africa has largely focused on service delivery benefits, with relatively limited attention to the risks associated with data governance and citizen trust.

CIPESA’s media analysis similarly shows that journalists tend to under-report issues of data protection, surveillance, and the enforcement of privacy laws, despite growing public concerns about the misuse of personal data and weak institutional safeguards.

This dialogue will examine whether DPI systems in Eastern Africa are being designed and implemented in ways that protect rights and build public trust.

Date: March 31, 2026 | 15:00 PM Nairobi | Reserve your seat

Dialogue 3: Interrogating DPI: Inclusion, Equity, and Gender

Background: Digital Public Infrastructure is often framed as inclusive by design. However, evidence from across Eastern Africa suggests that issues of equity, access, and representation remain underexplored in both policy debates and media coverage.

Media analysis conducted by CIPESA reveals limited reporting on how DPI systems affect citizens differently based on gender, geography, income, and digital access. It also highlights a significant gender imbalance in media sources, with roughly 80 percent of quoted sources being male.

Yet digital systems can inadvertently reinforce existing inequalities if barriers related to connectivity, digital literacy, affordability, identification documents, or social norms are not addressed.

This dialogue will explore whether DPI initiatives are truly delivering on their promise of inclusion, and who may be left behind by digital transformation.

Date: April 7, 2026 | 15:00 PM Nairobi | Reserve your seat

Dialogue 4: Interrogating DPI: Cross-Regional Learning Session

Africa is undergoing a profound digital transformation. The African Union Digital Transformation Strategy (2020–2030) encourages member states to develop Digital Public Infrastructure and Digital Public Goods as foundations for inclusive service delivery, digital trade, and economic growth.

However, public participation in shaping these developments remains limited, partly due to insufficient public discourse and limited specialised reporting on DPI and DPGs.

To address this gap, Co-Develop partnered with regional organisations, including the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) and CIPESA, to establish journalism fellowships focused on DPI reporting in West and Eastern Africa.

MFWA launched the first fellowship in West Africa in 2023, generating valuable lessons and case studies. CIPESA has since adapted the fellowship model for Eastern Africa, creating opportunities for cross-regional learning among journalists and ecosystem actors.

This session will bring fellows and stakeholders from both regions together to share lessons, experiences, and strategies for strengthening public discourse on DPI and DPGs.

Date: April 14, 2026 | 15:00 PM Nairobi | Reserve your seat

18Mar

CIPESA Welcomes the Annulment of Sections of Uganda’s Computer Misuse Act

Author CIPESA Posted on

By Edrine Wanyama |

Uganda’s Constitutional Court has delivered a major ruling that has outlawed several sections of the Computer Misuse Act, Cap 96, and ordered the government and its agencies to stop any further enforcement of the nullified provisions. These stringent provisions had significantly restricted the use of various communication platforms, including social media. The court ruling marks an important step towards ending enduring limitations on freedom of expression, access to information and other online freedoms.

The Computer Misuse (Amendment) Act, 2022, which introduced a range of offences including unauthorised access, unauthorised sharing of information about children, hate speech, sharing of unsolicited and malicious information, and misuse of social media, has been outlawed in its entirety. These provisions were overly broad, vaguely worded and carried severe penalties.

In response to a number of petitions filed by individuals and civil society organisations, which were consolidated for determination, the Constitutional Court found that the Computer Misuse (Amendment) Bill, 2022, was passed into law without complying with the provisions of rule 24(3) of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament, which contravened articles 88 and 89 of the Constitution. Parliament’s rules of procedure and the Constitution require that the quorum should be ascertained before passing of laws.

The Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA), which was a co-petitioner in the case, had in its analysis and comments to the Parliamentary Committee on Information and Communications Technology argued that while addressing cybercrime was necessary, overly broad laws risk shrinking the digital civic space by limiting freedom of expression and access to information.

Moreover, the law was passed long after the Supreme Court ruling in Charles Onyango Obbo and Another v Attorney General, which had outlawed the criminalisation of false news in section 50 of the Penal Code Act. CIPESA had raised concerns about this inconsistency in the law prior to the filing of the petition.

Importantly, the Constitutional Court also struck down sections 162 and 163 of the Penal Code Act, which criminalised defamation. The Court found that these provisions violate article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and are a limitation to the right to freedom of expression, contrary to regional and international human rights standards.

In the lead judgement of Justice Irene Mulyagonja, Court found that:

  • “Parliament passed the Computer Misuse (Amendment) Bill, 2022 into an Act of Parliament without complying with the provisions of rule 24(3) of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament made under Article 94 of the Constitution.
  • The enactment of the Computer Misuse (Amendment) Bill into an Act of Parliament without complying with rule 24(3) of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament was inconsistent with Articles 88 and 89 of the Constitution, and as a result, the Computer Misuse (Amendment) Act, 2022, was null and void.
  • The provisions of the Computer Misuse Act (2023 Edition) that were challenged in Constitutional Petitions 34, 37 and 42 of 2022 are therefore all null and void because they were enacted without following the law.
  • Section 162 of the Penal Code Act contravenes Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights; and section 163 that defines the term “defamation” therein does not meet the standard of the law that is required by Article 9(2) of the Charter, and is inconsistent therewith to that extent and therefore null and void.”

Uganda has in recent years experienced significant restrictions on digital civic space. During the general elections in January 2026, the government shut down the internet for five days. In 2024, in the lead up to elections, were charged under the annulled law with malicious information on X and insulting the President and the First Family. These actions are often justified on grounds such as preventing online misinformation and disinformation or safeguarding national security, but their broad application raises serious concerns for digital rights and the right to free expression.

Over the years,  several civic actors, including journalists and media professionals, human rights defenders, political opponents, have faced intimidation, arrests, and prosecution under these contentious provisions of the Computer Misuse Law.

Despite the Constitutional Court’s progressive decision, which is a positive step towards enhancing legislative accountability and reaffirming Uganda’s commitments under regional and international human rights instruments, there is no ultimate guarantee that the right to fundamental freedoms and civic liberties guaranteed by the Constitution will be respected.

It should be noted that the Court’s decision largely focused on procedural issues rather than examining the constitutional guarantees on freedom of expression and access to information. This leaves open the possibility that similar provisions could be reintroduced if proper legislative procedures are followed.

Continuous advocacy for progressive provisions remains necessary.

Given the volatile nature of Uganda’s digital space, there is a need for Parliament to ensure harmonisation of national laws with regional and international standards, conduct wide consultations on proposed laws, and undertake human rights impact assessments.

CIPESA welcomes the current judgement as progressive but emphasises the need for decisiveness in implementation of the orders by the court. Without sustained vigilance, restrictive laws in addition to the Uganda Communications Act, Public Order Management Act, Uganda Peoples Defence Forces Act, the Regulation of Interception of Communications Act and the Anti-terrorism Act may re-emerge in different forms.

The protection and promotion of civil liberties in digital spaces must remain a priority.

11Mar

CIPESA Builds the Capacity of State Actors to Address Online Harms

Author CIPESA Posted on

By CIPESA Writer |

Digital platforms serve as vital spaces for civic participation, political expression, and social mobilisation throughout Africa, including for women, youths, and human rights advocates. However, there has been a rise in digital hams that threaten online rights, safety, and democratic engagement. Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based violence (TFGBV), disinformation, digital surveillance, and increasingly complex attacks made possible by Artificial Intelligence (AI) are all on the rise in African online spaces. The majority of those harmed are journalists, activists, women and girls.

To address these challenges, the Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA) last month convened a two-day regional engagement in Mauritius to explore trends in digital harms and equip state actors with practical tools and guidance to monitor, prevent, and respond to online rights violations. It drew 30 participants from seven countries (Kenya, Malawi, Mauritius, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe). They included judges, magistrates, law enforcement officers, communications regulators, and representatives of data protection authorities and National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs).

Although the internet and digital technologies have enhanced civic participation and broadened the enjoyment of human rights, they have also brought about new risks for individuals and organisations. Accordingly, the discussion addressed the evolving nature of online harms and their impact on digital rights and democratic engagement.

Across all countries in the region, TFGBV is a major concern. Women in public roles, such as politicians, journalists, and activists, face a rising wave of online harassment, sexualised threats, and disinformation campaigns aimed at intimidating and silencing them. In countries like Kenya, Uganda, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, these attacks increase significantly during elections, compelling numerous women to withdraw from public engagement.

Disinformation and AI-driven manipulation present another concern. Coordinated disinformation campaigns, often amplified by bots and increasingly reliant on synthetic media like deepfakes, influence public opinion and target independent and critical voices. In countries where laws are enacted to address these ills, they often fail to target harmful manipulation and are instead weaponised to suppress legitimate expression.

For instance, laws on cybercrime and “false information”in countries like Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Kenya, and Uganda are often broadly framed, with ambiguous provisions and overly broad definitions and excessive penalties. These laws are frequently applied to detain and prosecute individuals, primarily journalists, bloggers and social accountability activists. Even where prosecutions are rare, the chilling effect on civic engagement is significant.

The engagement also heard that, in several countries, surveillance-enabling measures, from SIM card registration linked to national IDs, to biometric voter databases and interception technologies, have expanded without proper independent oversight.

Speaking at the engagement, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) Commissioner and Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa, Ourveena Geereesha Topsy-Sonoo, discussed how her mandate was addressing digital harms and promoting rights. She highlighted the commission’s resolution against internet disruptions and Resolution 591, which addresses the growing issue of violence against women on digital platforms across the continent.

In 2019, the ACHPR adopted the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa and has more recently issued resolutions addressing digital violence against women. However, most governments are yet to domesticate and implement these key instruments.

The meeting also underscored how democratic backsliding, shrinking civic space, and the expansion of executive power, as witnessed in several countries, create an environment in which digital harms flourish. While instruments such as the African Charter, the Malabo Convention on Cyber Security and Personal Data Protection, and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) provide safeguards, their impact depends on independent courts, empowered regulators, and capable NHRIs.

Participants noted that limited capacity, resources, and coordination across government institutions often undermine enforcement, monitoring, and accountability. The Mauritius engagement therefore, recommended establishing stronger institutional capacity, such as inter-ministerial committees on digital rights, to foster collaboration among key actors responsible for protecting digital rights.

Participants further explored practical approaches to monitoring digital rights violations, supporting survivors of online abuse, and ensuring accountability for harmful online behaviour. These discussions also drew from a handbook developed by the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL) and CIPESA, which provides guidance for NHRIs on monitoring and promoting digital rights.

In particular, the convening challenged NHRIs to play a greater role in addressing digital harms through investigating violations, providing remedies to victims, advising on legislation and standards, and conducting public education.

Another focus of the discussions was the role of technology companies in moderating harmful content. Participants highlighted concerns that major platforms such as Meta and X do not allocate sufficient resources to content moderation in Africa. In many cases, moderation systems rely heavily on automated tools that are poorly adapted to local languages and socio-political contexts, while the number of human moderators covering African content remains limited.

Participants recommended that African governments strengthen their engagement with big tech companies through regional mechanisms such as the African Union, to present a more coordinated voice on issues of platform accountability.

Through this engagement, CIPESA strengthened the capacity of state actors to safeguard digital rights, highlighting that protecting these rights is both their legal mandate and central to growing democratic resilience and inclusion across Africa. The engagement was supported by the Irene M. Staehelin Foundation.

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