Promoting Effective and Inclusive ICT Policy in Africa

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23Jul

CIPESA Welcomes Namibia Ministry of ICT and the Namibia IGF as Co-Hosts of FIFAFrica25

Author CIPESA Posted on

By FIFAfrica |

The Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA) is pleased to announce that the 2025 edition of the Forum on Internet Freedom in Africa (FIFAfrica25) will be co-hosted in partnership with the Namibian Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT) and the Namibia Internet Governance Forum (NamIGF).

Set to take place in Windhoek, Namibia, from September 25–27, 2025, this year’s Forum will serve as yet another notch in FIFAfrica’s 12-year history of assembling digital rights defenders, policymakers, technologists, academics, regulators, journalists, and the donor community, who all have the shared vision of advancing internet freedom in Africa.

With its strong commitments to democratic governance, press freedom, and inclusive digital development, Namibia offers fertile ground for rich dialogues on the future of internet freedom in Africa. The country holds a powerful legacy in the global media and information landscape, being the birthplace of the 1991 Windhoek Declaration on promoting independent and pluralistic media. In a digital age where new challenges are emerging – from information integrity and Artificial Intelligence (AI) governance to connectivity gaps and platform accountability – hosting FIFAfrica in Namibia marks a key moment for the movement toward trusted information as a public good, including in the digital age.

“Through the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology, Namibia is proud to co-host FIFAfrica25 as a demonstration of our commitment to advancing technology for inclusive social and economic development. This Forum comes at a critical moment for Africa’s digital future, and we welcome the opportunity to engage with diverse voices from across the continent and beyond in shaping a rights-respecting, secure, and innovative digital landscape,” Minister of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Emma Inamutila Theofelus

This sentiment is shared by the NamIGF Chairperson, Albertine Shipena. “We are honoured to co-host the FIFAfrica25 here in Namibia. This partnership with MICT and CIPESA marks a significant step in advancing digital rights, open governance, and meaningful multistakeholder engagement across the continent. As the NamIGF, we are proud to contribute to shaping a more inclusive and secure internet ecosystem, while spotlighting Namibia’s growing role in regional and global digital conversations.”

The NamIGF was established in September 2017, through a Cabinet decision, as a multistakeholder platform that facilitates public policy discussion on issues pertaining to the internet in Namibia.

Dr. Wairagala Wakabi, the CIPESA Executive Director, noted that FIFAfrica25 presents a timely opportunity to advance progressive digital policy agendas that uphold fundamental rights and promote digital democracy in Africa. “As global debates on internet governance, data sovereignty, and platform accountability intensify, it is essential that Africans inform and shape the frameworks that govern our digital spaces. We are honoured to partner with the Namibian government and NamIGF to convene this critical conversation on the continent,” he said.

Since its inception in 2014, FIFAfrica has grown to become the continent’s leading assembly of actors instrumental in shaping conversations and actions at the intersection of technology with democracy, society and the economy. It has become the stage for concerted efforts to advance digital rights and digital inclusion. These issues, and new emerging themes such as mental health, climate and the environment, and the content economy, will take centre stage at FIFAfrica25, which will feature a mix of plenaries, workshops, exhibitions, and a series of pre-events.

Meanwhile, FIFAfrica will also recognise the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI), celebrated annually on September 28. The commemoration serves to underscore the fundamental role of access to information in empowering individuals, supporting informed decision-making, fostering innovation, and advancing inclusive and sustainable development – tenets which resonate with the Forum. This year’s celebration is themed, “Ensuring Access to Environmental Information in the Digital Age”.

At the heart of the Forum is a Community of Allies that have, over the years, stood alongside CIPESA in its pursuit of effective and inclusive digital governance in Africa.

Feedback on Session Proposals and Travel Support Applications

All successful session proposals and travel support applicants have been contacted directly. See the list of successful sessions here. Thank you for your patience and for contributing to what promises to be an exciting FIFAfrica25.  

Prepare for FIFAfrica25: Travel and Logistics

Everything you need to plan your attendance at the Forum can be found here – visit this page for key logistical details and tips to help you make the most of your experience!

02Jun

NOW OPEN! Call for Session Proposals and Travel Support Applications

Author CIPESA Posted on

FIFAfrica |

The Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA) invites interested parties to submit session proposals to the 2025 edition of the Forum on Internet Freedom in Africa (FIFAfrica25). Successful submissions will help to shape the agenda of the event, which is set to gather policymakers, regulators, human rights defenders, journalists, academics, private sector players, global information intermediaries, bloggers, and developers.

FIFAfrica25 is a leading platform for shaping digital rights, inclusion, and governance conversations. This year, the Forum is headed to Windhoek, Namibia, a beacon of press freedom, gender equity, and progressive jurisprudence, and will take place on September 24–26, 2025.

As part of the registration, we invite session proposals, including panel discussions, lightning talks, exhibitions, and skills workshops, to shape the FIFAfrica25 agenda.

CIPESA is committed to ensuring a diversity of voices, backgrounds, and viewpoints in attendance and as organisers and speakers at panels at FIFAfrica. In line with this, there is limited funding to support travel for participation at FIFAfrica25. Preference will be given to applicants who can partially support their attendance and those who organise sessions.

We encourage proposals that are in line with the following tracks (with some overlap of topics between tracks):

Digital Inclusion: (Topics can include – Minority communities, language, persons with disabilities, women, children, gig workers, etc.)

Digital Resilience and Safety: (Topics can include – Security tools upskilling, practical skills sessions, open source software, localisation, etc.) 

Freedom of Expression & Access to Information: (Topics can include – online rights and freedoms, public accountability.)

Platform Accountability (Tech governance concerns and content moderation)

Implications of AI: (Topics can include – Regulatory gaps, policy readiness, usage, localisation, content regulation.)

Digital Economy: (Topics can include – digital transformation, digital trade, data sovereignty, cross-border data flows, policy alignment, data privacy)

Digital Democracy: (Topics can include – Internet shutdowns, data privacy, digital surveillance, civic tech, digital public infrastructure)

Who Can Apply

  • Civil society organisations
  • Independent researchers and academics
  • Journalists and media practitioners
  • Policy-makers and government actors
  • Regional and international organisations
  • Private sector actors

Types of Sessions

Session formats include:

  • Panel discussions
  • Lightning talks
  • Workshops 
  • Interactive roundtables
  • Exhibitions 

Event Support

Limited funding is available to support attendance (travel and/or accommodation) for successful applications.

How to Submit a Proposal

To submit your session proposal or request event support, please complete the FIFAfrica25 Proposal Submission Form by June 20, 2025.

Key Dates

MilestoneDate
Submissions closeJune 20, 2025
Notification of Selected ProposalsJuly 04, 2025

For questions or additional information, please contact: [email protected]

06May

Press Freedom at the Crossroads of AI and Democracy

Author CIPESA Posted on

By Juliet Nanfuka |

World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) traces its origins to the landmark Windhoek Declaration in 1991, which called for a free, independent, and pluralistic press as essential to democracy and development and was adopted by UNESCO in 1993. Since then, the media landscape has evolved drastically, shifting from print and broadcast to include various digital media platforms. This new age of journalism has come with complex challenges including privacy violations, disinformation, and algorithmic control.

The theme of this year’s WPFD “Reporting in the brave new world – The impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on press freedom and the media” – is a fitting one especially as across the world,  developments in technology are having an impact not only in how users engage online but also how journalists navigate news production (See example of Nigeria station launching AI news anchors) and distribution. According to UNESCO, “AI is transforming journalism, providing tools that enhance investigative reporting, content creation, and fact-checking. It allows for greater efficiency, multilingual accessibility, and improved data analysis. However, these advancements also bring risks: AI-generated misinformation and disinformation, deepfake technology, biased content moderation, and surveillance threats to journalists.”

Indeed, these risks are contributing to a downward trend in press freedom. For the first time since its inception in 2002, the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) World Press Freedom Index has ranked the global state of press freedom as a “difficult situation”. According to RSF, in over half of the world’s population, press freedom is entirely absent and practicing journalism is particularly dangerous. In many African countries, these challenges are compounded by internet disruptions, low literacy levels, and a persisting digital divide – one likely to be widened by AI.

An inaugural study into journalists safety in Africa by the Collaboration in International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA) noted an increase in attacks against journalists, digital media and independent content creators by state and non-state actors through legal and extra-legal measures. With the popularity of and reliance on digital media, governments have been keen on monitoring and regulating online spaces and surveilling journalists thus undermining their privacy and safety.

See: The State of Media Freedom and Safety of Journalists in Africa Report

CIPESA has worked to address the challenges of journalist safety including through research into the pathways and effects of disinformation, campaigns such as  #WeekOfSafety which complemented multi-stakeholder dialogues promoting journalist safety and digital resilience in an age of disinformation and AI. With support from the Africa Digital Rights Fund (ADRF), CIPESA has also bridged funding gaps for media safety and integrity initiatives and supported research and training aimed at countering digital threats. At the Uganda national commemoration of WPFD hosted by the Uganda Media Sector Working Group (UMSWG) this year,  CIPESA will host a digital security clinic and workshop on misinformation and disinformation.

At the recently concluded Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum (DRIF) hosted by Paradigm Initiative, CIPESA participated in a high-level panel hosted by Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) and UNESCO which served as the launch of consultations on the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR)  Resolution on developing Guidelines to assist States monitor technology companies in respect of their duty to maintain information integrity through independent fact checking – ACHPR/Res.630 (LXXXII) 2025. Adopted by the ACHPR meeting at its 82nd Ordinary Session in March 2025, the resolution notes the “regress by technology companies with regard to information integrity and online protection of expression and access to information”. The Commission calls upon the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa to develop guidelines that can enable States Parties to effectively monitor platforms’ performance in order to inform efforts to advance information integrity online, including the role of independent fact-checking in the African context.

Indeed, at a time when civic space is shrinking while press freedom and access to information are facing even greater challenges, it is only fitting that that the annual Forum on Internet Freedom in Africa (FIFAfrica) hosted by CIPESA heads to Windhoek, Namibia to provide a platform to take stock of the various shifts in the technology landscape that have come to inform the media landscape and to tap into the opportunities that can help shape the internet we want such as through contributing to the development of the afore mentioned guidelines.  

See: Forum on Internet Freedom in Africa 2025 

The legacy of the 1991 Windhoek Declaration will carry into FIFAfrica25 as the role of technology in enabling the realisation of democracy and development will be the cornerstone of many discussions especially the role it plays in building inclusive, participatory, and democratic societies in the face of AI.

15Apr

Why It’s Not Yet Uhuru for Artificial Intelligence in Africa and What To Do About It

Author CIPESA Posted on

By CIPESA Writer |

At the first Global Summit on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Africa in Kigali, Rwanda earlier this month, it was evident that African countries are hugely lagging behind the rest of the world in developing and utilising AI. Also clear was that if the continent makes the right investments today, it stands to reap considerable benefits.

The challenges Africa faces were well-articulated at the summit that brought together 2,000 participants from 97 countries, as were the solutions. Some important steps were taken, such as issuance of the Africa Declaration on Artificial Intelligence that aims to mobilise USD 60 billion for the prospective Africa AI Fund, the unveiling of the Gates Foundation investment in AI Scaling Labs in four African countries, announcement of the Cassava AI Factory that is said to be Africa’s first AI-enabled data centre, and endorsement of the Africa Artificial Intelligence Council.

Just Where Does Africa Lie?

Crystal Rugege, Managing Director of the Rwanda Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which hosted the summit, noted that AI could unlock USD 2.9 trillion for Africa’s economy by 2030, thereby lifting 11 million Africans out of poverty and creating 500,000 jobs annually. However, Rugege added, “this will not happen by chance. It requires bold, decisive leadership and collective action.”

Some independent researchers and scholars feel most African countries are not doing enough to stimulate AI innovation and uptake. Indeed, speakers at an independent webinar held on the eve of the Kigali summit criticised the “ambitious prediction” of the USD 2.9 trillion AI dividend for Africa, citing the lack of inclusive AI policy-making, and African countries’ failure to invest in a workforce that is fit for the AI age.

A handful of countries (including Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, Kenya, Mauritius, Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, Rwanda and Zambia) have developed AI Strategies and at least eight others are in the process of doing so, but there is minimal government-funded AI innovation and deployment. Africa receives only a pittance of the global AI funding.

Key Hindrances

The summit was not blind to the key hindrances to AI development and deployment. Africa’s limited computational power (or compute) including a shortage of locally-based data centres was severally cited. Africa holds less than 1% of global data centre capacity, which is insufficient to train and run AI models. Also, while the continent has the world’s youngest population, it is lowly skilled. Moreover, only 5% of the region’s AI talent has access to the computational power and resources needed to carry out complex tasks. Many countries also lack the requisite energy supplies to power sustained AI development. Also, Africa’s 60% mobile internet usage gap is slowing AI adoption and economic growth.

Accordingly, the summit – and the declaration it issued – focussed on how to address these bottlenecks. Recommendations include to focus education systems on Fourth Industrial Revolution skills including to build for and adapt to AI; developing AI infrastructure (innovation labs, data centres, sustainable energy); scaling African AI businesses (including enabling them to access affordable funding); and enhancing AI research.

Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, stressed the need to create a harmonised regulatory environment to enable cross-border AI trade and investment; and to leverage Africa’s rich and diverse datasets to fuel AI innovation and power global AI models.

Important Steps in Kigali
  • The Africa Declaration on Artificial Intelligence builds on the foundational strategies, policies and commitments of the AU (such as its AI Strategy and the Data Policy Framework) and the United Nations. It seeks to develop a comprehensive talent pipeline through AI education and research; establishes frameworks for open, secure and inclusive data governance; provides for deployments of affordable and sustainable computing infrastructure accessible to researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs across Africa; and aims to create supportive ecosystems with regional AI incubation hubs driving innovation and scaling African AI enterprises domestically and globally.

    The Declaration envisages the establishment of a USD 60 billion Africa AI Fund, leveraging public, private, and philanthropic capital. The Fund would invest in developing and expanding AI infrastructure, scaling African AI enterprises, building a robust pipeline of AI practitioners, and strengthening domestic AI research capabilities, while upholding principles of equity and inclusion.
  • The AI Scaling Labs: The Gates Foundation and Rwanda’s Ministry of ICT and Innovation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish the Rwanda AI Scaling Hub, in which the foundation will invest USD 7.5 million. It will initially focus on healthcare, agriculture, and education. Over the next 12 months, the foundation plans to establish similar centres in Kenya, Nigeria, and Senegal “to break down barriers to scale and help move promising AI innovations to impact.”
  • The Cassava AI Factory: Cassava Technologies announced the Cassava AI Factory, reportedly Africa’s first AI-enabled data centre, powered by NVIDIA accelerated computing. “Building digital infrastructure for the AI economy is a priority if Africa is to take full advantage of the fourth industrial revolution,” said Cassava Founder and Chairman, Strive Masiyiwa. “Our AI Factory provides the infrastructure for this innovation to scale, empowering African businesses, startups and researchers with access to cutting-edge AI infrastructure to turn their bold ideas into real-world breakthroughs – and now, they don’t have to look beyond Africa to get it.”

    By keeping AI infrastructure and data within Africa, Cassava Technologies says it is strengthening the continent’s digital independence, driving local innovation and supporting African AI talent and businesses. Its first deployment in South Africa (in June 2025) will be followed by expansion to Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, and Nigeria.
  • The Africa Artificial Intelligence Council: The Smart Africa Alliance Steering Committee Meeting co-chaired by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Secretary and the AU Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, endorsed the creation of the Council to drive continental coordination on critical AI pillars, including AI computing infrastructure, data sets and data infrastructure development, skills development, market use cases, and governance/policy.
  • Use Cases and Sandboxes: Documentation of tangible use cases and sandboxes that support innovation and regulation is vital in AI development on the continent. On the sidelines of the summit, CIPESA contributed to two co-creation initiatives. The Datasphere Initiative held a Co-creation Lab on the role of AI sandboxes in supporting regulatory innovation and ethical AI governance in Africa. Meanwhile, Qhala hosted a Digital Trade and Regulatory Sandbox session focused on digital health, smartphones, and cross-border trade. Separately, the Rwanda Health Intelligence Centre was unveiled, which enables AI-driven emergency medical services delivery and real-time collection of data on healthcare outcomes in hospitals, thus strengthening evidence-based decision-making.

Ultimately, the AI promise remains high but for it to be realised, the ideas from the Kigali summit must be translated into actions. Countries must stump up funds for research and scaling innovations, support their citizens in acquiring AI-relevant skills, expand internet access and affordability, provide supportive infrastructure, and incentivise foreign investment and technology transfer. Moreover, they should ensure that national laws and regulations promote fair, safe, secure, inclusive and responsible AI, and conform to continental aspirations such as the African Union AI Strategy.

21Mar

NEW BRIEF: Policy Considerations for Enhancing Digital Trade in East Africa

Author CIPESA Posted on

By Lillian Nalwoga |

The East African region is on the cusp of a digital revolution, with significant strides being made in digital trade and payments. This is driven by remarkable growth in internet penetration, mobile money services, and the adoption of emerging technologies like 5G and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Further, initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the East African Community (EAC) e-Commerce Strategy are laying the groundwork for a thriving digital economy. The World Bank projects digital services exports from Africa to reach USD 74 billion by 2040, highlighting the immense opportunity at hand. Despite these strides, there are several key challenges that need to be addressed to fully unlock the region’s digital potential.

In this brief, the Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA) outlines barriers to digital trade and presents key policy recommendations for promoting a human rights-based digital economy in the region.

According to the brief, the key barriers hindering the advancement of digital trade in East Africa include:

  • Limited Digital Infrastructure and Internet Access: While mobile internet penetration is growing, issues like internet subsea cable cuts, network disruptions, low digital literacy, and low affordability persist. Uneven distribution of infrastructure, high deployment costs, and slow adoption of new technologies further exacerbate the digital divide.
  • Fragmented Approaches to Digital Economy Taxation: Differing digital service taxes (DST) across countries create complexities and may impede innovation and cross-border trade. Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania all levy DST, with Kenya’s rate being the highest in the region.
  • Data Governance and Privacy Concerns: While some countries have adopted data protection laws, harmonise action is lacking. Issues like data localisation requirements and the need for a comprehensive regional approach to data privacy and management remain.
  • Limited Local Data Centres: The region has a limited number of data centres, which hinders data localisation efforts and the advancement of AI and other data-intensive technologies. Restrictive regulatory frameworks in some countries further complicate the use of cloud solutions.
  • Rising Cybersecurity Threats: Cyber risks are a major concern, with increasing cyber attacks targeting various sectors. Cybercrime laws, while necessary, sometimes contain vague provisions that can be used to curtail online freedoms.

To overcome these challenges and fully leverage the digital economy, the policy brief offers several key recommendations:

  • Embrace Digital Transformation and Connectivity: Invest in robust networks, backup systems, and address single points of failure in internet connectivity.
  • Implement Robust Cybersecurity Frameworks: Prioritise investments in cyber infrastructure, skilling, and awareness.
  • Recognise Data as a Trade Enabler: Ensure trade agreements prevent unnecessary restrictions on data flows and adopt balanced data localisation policies.
  • Harmonise Data Protection Standards: Reduce compliance costs and build trust by harmonising data protection standards across the region.
  • Build Robust Digital Infrastructure: Focus on Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), data policy, privacy, and protection.
  • Speed up the Adoption of the EAC Data Governance Policy Framework: Secure resources for its implementation.
  • Assess and Address the Impact of Emerging Technologies: Ensure policies foster innovation while addressing ethical and legal challenges.

The East African region has the potential to become a major player in the global digital economy. By addressing the existing barriers and implementing these recommendations, the region can create a thriving digital ecosystem that benefits all its residents.

Read the full brief here.

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