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11Oct

Can the AU Data Policy Framework (DPF) support Digital Trade in SACU?

Author CIPESA Posted on

By Shamira Ahmed |

As Africa navigates the complexities of digital transformation, the African Union’s Data Policy Framework (DPF) has been heralded as a key instrument for establishing coherent data governance across the continent. However, in the specific context of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), its digital trade ambitions, and the complexities of international rules governing cross-border data flows (CBDF) and digital trade the question arises:

Can the AU Data Policy Framework (DPF) support Digital Trade in SACU?
For SACU member states (MS)—comprising Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, and South Africa—digital trade can be a key facilitator of economic development.

While the DPF offers important guiding principles, the Data Economy Policy Hub (DepHUB) supported by the Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA) have published a paper and policy brief on “Assessing the Suitability of the African Union Data Policy Framework for Digital Trade in Africa: A South African Customs Union (SACU) Case Study” thatreveals shortcomings regarding the DPF according to three main categories, namely, approach, implementation, and scope that affect its suitability for SACU’s digital trade aspirations.
SACU has the potential to leverage digitalisation to enhance trade facilitation, revenue collection, and competitiveness. However, SACU’s digital landscape is still evolving, with varying levels of endowments, capabilities, and enablers such as digital infrastructure, robust data governance policies, and regulatory frameworks amongst the SACU member states, which pose a significant challenge to deepening SACU integration.

Furthermore, the successful integration of digital trade within the African context relies on the effectiveness and harmonization of various prerequisites and enablers, such as cross-border data policy frameworks and essential network infrastructure, among others, to support an inclusive digital single market.

The DPF offers an essential starting point for SACU’s engagement with digital trade, but it falls short in several key areas:

  1. Approach: The DPF’s overemphasis on legal frameworks such as FRAND , and regulatory sandboxes as only positive aspects needs to be recalibrated with a more balanced approach to better support digital trade in Africa. CBDF should be prioritized alongside data sovereignty and mutual recognition agreements— greater flexibility and policy space is needed to enable innovation in SACU’s nascent data ecosystem.
  • Implementation: Relying on national data protection authorities and the AUC’s limited capacity may hinder effective implementation across SACU. A more legally binding regionally coordinated approach such as the Digital Protocols of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) may be more appropriate as the Draft Protocol can create binding conditions necessary to ensure that all SACU members benefit from the DPF.

Scope: The DPF does not include data governance issues that impact digital trade such as all the dimensions of data interoperability, gender inequality, and environmental sustainability. Addressing these gaps is crucial for ensuring that SACU’s digital trade is not only economically inclusive but also socially and environmentally responsible.
To fully capitalize on the potential of digital technologies for economic growth, SACU countries need a more harmonized and collaborative approach to data governance.

A proactive sociotechnical approach, which better addresses the complexity of the data economy, must be adopted to balance the risks and benefits of digital transformation.

To overcome multidimensional barriers, SACU member states must adopt a transversal approach that aligns digital trade policies with broader economic, regulatory, and infrastructure goals. A transversal approach requires a much-needed focus on both supply-side policies, such as enhancing digital public infrastructure, and demand-side policies, such as promoting digital capabilities.

10Oct

Why Technology Has Failed To Improve Africa’s Elections – Report

Author CIPESA Posted on

Update |

Technology was supposed to be a great equalizer in Africa’s democratic journey, but as the “State of Internet Freedom in Africa 2024” report reveals, technology has instead become a tool for authoritarian control.

As internet shutdowns, disinformation, and the digital divide grow, the hope for transparent elections continues to dim away, writes FRANK KISAKYE.

Technologies initially seen as tools to empower Africa’s youth and dismantle authoritarian regimes have, paradoxically, become instruments of digital repression. Rather than facilitating democratic transitions, politicians are exploiting these innovations for misinformation, censorship and disinformation.

Hopes were high as mobile phone usage and internet access rapidly expanded across the continent, reaching 43 per cent mobile penetration with 489 million unique subscribers and 25 per cent internet penetration with 287 million mobile internet users. These advances were expected to modernize electoral processes through biometric voter registration, digital verification methods, and faster result transmission.

However, the “State of Internet Freedom in Africa 2024” report by the Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA) reveals a darker reality. Rather than promoting transparency, governments have turned to technology to undermine elections, suppress dissent and manipulate outcomes.

States have used technology to suppress elections
States have used technology to suppress elections

Launched in Dakar, Senegal, at the 2024 Forum on Internet Freedom in Africa (FIFAfrica) which was co-hosted by CIPESA and AfricTivistes, the report emphasizes how digital repression has become a key tool for authoritarian regimes.

Cheikh Fall, president of AfricTivistes, urged the continent to develop indigenous digital frameworks, saying, “Africa’s greatest challenge today is that it is experiencing the effects of all three industrial revolutions that shaped the world. We must create homegrown technologies and frameworks that address the continent’s unique needs and aspirations.”

INTERNET SHUTDOWNS

The report highlights countries such as Chad, Gabon, Uganda, and Zimbabwe, where internet disruptions and shutdowns have been used during elections and protests to stifle political opposition and control information. Since 2022, over 18 election-related internet disruptions have been recorded across Africa, a clear sign of growing digital authoritarianism. Rather than embracing transparency, these regimes are using technology to erode democratic governance.

Internet censorship, surveillance, and repressive laws are also key tactics used to weaken civic participation. Countries like Ethiopia, Mozambique, and Mali have engaged in targeted surveillance of political opponents and human rights defenders. The result is an environment where citizens fear participating in democratic processes, fearing reprisal and distrusting government institutions.

For example, Uganda has blocked Facebook since 2021 after President Yoweri Museveni accused the platform of siding with the opposition by deactivating accounts linked to his ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM). Facebook accused NRM of creating ‘fake accounts’ to manipulate the electoral process. This growing trend toward digital suppression makes it increasingly difficult for citizens to engage politically.

In 2023 alone, African governments imposed 283 internet shutdowns in 39 countries – a 41 per cent increase from 201 shutdowns in 2022. Ten of these shutdowns specifically targeted social media platforms like Facebook and X (formerly Twitter), which were once seen as tools for youth empowerment.

Instead, these platforms have become victims of repression, preventing young people from using them to effect political change. Despite 2024 being a pivotal year for African democracy, with over 20 countries heading to the polls, authoritarian regimes are doubling down on their use of technology to suppress opposition and manipulate electoral outcomes. This year could further erode trust in electoral transparency as governments increasingly seize control of internet governance.

Internet shutdowns have far-reaching consequences beyond politics. In conflict zones like Gaza, Myanmar, and Sudan, shutdowns disrupt essential services, including humanitarian aid. African countries are no exception. For instance, Algeria lost an estimated $70.4 million due to internet disruptions between 2019 and 2024.

Ugandan advocate Michael Aboneka warns that the continent may see even more internet shutdowns as regimes aim to control narratives during elections and protests. The economic and social costs are profound – undermining public trust in election outcomes and exacerbating political tensions.

Disinformation has also emerged as a key tactic to manipulate African elections. The CIPESA report highlights the increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) to create fake content that misleads voters. Politicians are weaponizing AI to discredit electoral bodies and deepen political polarization.

In Uganda, for example, AI-generated disinformation has fueled the power struggles between prominent figures such as General Muhoozi Kainerugaba and President Museveni’s son-in-law, Odrek Rwabwogo. This not only confuses voters but also distorts the political landscape, making it difficult for citizens to make informed choices.

The proliferation of disinformation diminishes trust in democratic institutions, and AI’s ability to amplify these false narratives poses a growing challenge to fair elections.

While technology has transformed some aspects of African elections, the digital divide remains a significant barrier. High data costs, poor infrastructure, and limited digital literacy exclude large portions of the population, particularly rural communities, women, and people with disabilities.

Countries like Zimbabwe, South Sudan, and the Central African Republic have some of the most expensive mobile data prices globally, preventing many citizens from accessing crucial information and participating in online civic spaces. This deepens political inequalities and prevents marginalized groups from fully engaging in the democratic process.

This article was first published on the Observer website on October 09, 2024.

Read full report on the State of Internet Freedom in Africa (SIFA) 2024.

27Sep

2024 State of Internet Freedom in Africa Report Unveils the Promises and Challenges of Technology in African Elections

Author CIPESA Posted on

By FIFAfrica |

The Collaboration on International ICT Policy has launched the 11th edition of the State of Internet Freedom in Africa report. This year, the report examines the interplay between technology and elections in Africa during the so-called Year of Democracy, when at least 20 African countries were scheduled to go to the polls.

While highlighting the growing influence of technology in elections, the study documents that much of the deployment has been characterised by risks and pitfalls where the majority of authoritarian governments have selectively deployed technology to entrench their power.

The increase in Internet and mobile phone penetration rates in recent years and the adoption of technology in electoral processes such as the use of biometric voter registration and verification applications by different governments,  raised a the promise of better electoral outcomes due to the anticipated increased transparency, efficiency and affordance that technology would lend to the electoral processes, especially in 2024. However, in reality, many countries have failed to fully realise these benefits.

The study, conducted across several countries in Africa included interviews with experts in digital rights, electoral democracy, and technology. It was complimented with g literature reviews, legal and policy analysis resulting in a broad perspective on the intersection of technology and elections in Africa. Key Findings from the report including the following:

  • Democratic Governance is Under Siege: There is a significant decline in the state of democratic governance in Africa, with growing authoritarianism, coups, hereditary presidencies, weakened oversight institutions, political instability, and restricted political competition. The persistent failure to address corruption, social divisions, and economic inequality continues to undermine electoral integrity and public trust. In these contexts, political elites manipulate elections and exploit historical tensions and unresolved economic grievances to maintain power, thus eroding public trust in the democratic foundations necessary for fair and fair elections.
  • Intensification of Digital Authoritarianism: Digital authoritarianism is a growing concern in Africa as governments continue to deploy a combination of tools and tactics of repression, such as internet shutdowns, censorship of news outlets, targeted surveillance, and regressive laws to limit civic participation and suppress dissent. These practices have a significant social and economicimpacts resulting in  an environment where technology and democratic processes can be exploited to undermine democracy rather than strengthen it.
  • The Persistent Digital Divide is Deepening Political Inequalities and Exclusion: Africa’s digital divide remains a significant barrier to inclusive political participation, with rural, underserved communities and marginalised groups disproportionately affected. High internet usage costs, expensive digital devices, inadequate digital infrastructure, and low digital literacy compound political inequalities, thus limiting citizens’ ability to engage in political discourse and access critical electoral information. In the year of elections, such a disconnect is profound.
  • The Rise of AI-Enabled Disinformation Narratives: The study underscores the growing threat of misinformation and disinformation, particularly AI-generated content, in shaping electoral outcomes. AI tools were used in countries such as Rwanda and South Africa Rwanda to create deep fakes and synthetic media, manipulating public perception. Social media platforms have been slow to address this issue, and where they have, the approaches have not been uniform across countries. Disinformation campaigns can make it difficult for voters to access credible information, stifle democratic participation online, and erode citizens’ trust in democratic processes.
  • Progress and Innovation in the Use of Technology during Elections: The study has established the progress in the adoption of technologies in Ghana, Namibia, and South Africa for voter registration, results tallying and transmission, voter education, and engagement. Despite challenges in deployment, these technologies have the potential to improve electoral transparency, efficiency, and accountability. Also notable were the various initiatives to combat disinformation, build solidarity for good governance, and increase access to election information.  

The study concludes that the continent is at a crossroads as the use of technology in Africa’s 2024 elections presents both promises and pitfalls. On the one hand, technology has the potential to improve electoral transparency, promote citizen engagement, and ensure credible elections. On the other hand, the misuse of digital tools by authoritarian regimes, combined with the digital divide, the rise of disinformation, and declining constitutional governance risks undermining the democratic process. Governments, election management bodies, and civil society must work collaboratively to safeguard digital rights, promote digital inclusion, and build robust frameworks for the ethical use of technology in elections.

Secondly, while technology played a central role in the 2024 elections in several countries, one of the highlights has been the use of AI in ways that illuminate both its promises and dangers for electoral integrity and democracy. Clearly, few African countries have adopted the use of AI in elections, and this holds true for various election stakeholders, such as election observers, political parties, candidates, and Election Management Bodies (EMBs). Nonetheless, in the few countries studied where AI was adopted, some positive results could be discerned. Still, even in those countries where elements of AI were adopted, they were small-scale and did not fully exploit the promise that AI holds for enhancing the efficiency and transparency of elections.

Five Key Recommendations Emerged from the Report:

  1. Strengthen protection for digital rights: Countries should adopt progressive legal and policy frameworks that safeguard digital rights, protect privacy, entrench transparency and accountability in the technology sector, and govern the use of technologies, including artificial intelligence, in elections.
  2. Demand accountability: Civil society organisations, the tech community, media, and academia should leverage their watchdog role to document digital rights abuses, educate and raise awareness on the importance of internet freedoms, data privacy, AI governance, and their role in elections, in order to enable them to demand accountability from platforms and governments.
  3. Address the digital divide: The study proposes wide investments to expand internet access, especially in marginalised and underserved areas, together with measures to reduce the cost of access, the promotion of digital literacy, and building resilient digital infrastructure.
  4. Combat disinformation: Joint efforts bringing together social media platforms, election bodies, fact-checkers, civil society, academia, and media should be encouraged in efforts to combat disinformation. 
  5. Innovate election tech: Election management bodies should adopt transparent processes in the design, development, and deployment of election technologies, including disclosing independent audit and impact assessment reports, facilitating election observation, and independent monitoring of election technologies to promote and maintain public trust.

Find the report here.

27Sep

Delegates Gather in Dakar for FIFAfrica24: Make A Call for Enhanced Digital Democracy and Inclusion in Africa

Author CIPESA Posted on

FIFAfrica24 |

On September 26, 2024, the Forum on Internet Freedom in Africa (FIFAfrica24) kicked off with over 420 delegates from across Africa and beyond. FIFAfrica24, now in its 11th year serves as a platform for concerted efforts to advance digital rights in Africa and to promote the multi-stakeholder model of Internet governance. It places internet freedom directly on the agendas of key stakeholders, including policymakers, journalists, activists, global platform operators, telecommunications companies, regulators, human rights defenders, academia, and law enforcement.
 
Co-hosted by the Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA) and AfricTivistes, the main Forum was preceded by two days of pre-events, including workshops and training sessions designed to equip participants with critical skills and foster meaningful dialogue on digital rights and internet governance.
 
This year’s forum marks a historic first, as it is the first time FIFAfrica is hosted in a Francophone African country, during what has been dubbed the Year of Democracy. Previous editions have been held in Uganda, South Africa, Ghana, Ethiopia, Zambia, and Tanzania.
 
In his opening remarks, Dr. Wairagala Wakabi, Executive Director of CIPESA, emphasised Senegal’s importance as host.  “Senegal’s progressive approach to data governance, its commitment to artificial intelligence, and its strides in developing a comprehensive National Data Strategy make it the ideal location for this year’s discussions,” said Dr. Wakabi. He added that, the Forum, which started as a conversation has “evolved into a powerful movement. A movement that transcends borders and languages, and one that actively shapes the future of digital democracy on this continent.”
 
Speaking on behalf of Senegal’s government, Serigne Abdou Lahatt Sylla, head of the Office of Digital Services and Uses, emphasised the country’s efforts aimed at protecting digital rights and stated, “Senegal is honored to host FIFAfrica24, reaffirming our commitment to advancing digital rights and democracy. As we continue to develop our technological capabilities, protecting the rights of our citizens remains our priority,” Sylla remarked.
 
Cheikh Fall, President of AfricTivistes, highlighted the ongoing challenge of digital access and use in Africa. He emphasized the urgent need for the continent to develop its own digital frameworks, stating, “Africa’s greatest challenge today is that it is experiencing the effects of all three industrial revolutions that shaped the world. We must create homegrown technologies and frameworks that address the continent’s unique needs and aspirations.”
 
Tanzanian Member of Parliament and Chair of the African Parliamentary Network on Internet Governance (APNIG), Neema Lugangira, commended CIPESA’s efforts, affirming that African legislators are committed to supporting inclusive internet access and safeguarding digital rights.  “Legislators across the continent are committed to fostering inclusive internet access and supporting CIPESA’s initiatives to advance digital freedoms,” Lugangira said.
 
FIFAfrica has commemorated the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) since it was proclaimed by the UNESCO General Conference in 2015, following the adoption of 38 C/Resolution 57proclamation.  In this regard, Michel Elvis Kenmoei, UNESCO’s West Africa Adviser for Communication and Information, stated, “Digital rights are fundamental human rights. As the world becomes more connected, we must ensure freedom of expression, privacy, and access to information for all.”
 
Kenmoei went on to reiterate the call for the respect of access to information in a keynote panel discussion that also featured Conor  Sanchez, a Stakeholder Engagement Manager, Content Policy at Meta,  Aisha Dabo, Programs Coordinator at Africtivistes, Sarah Kekeli Akunor, of the Ghana Blind Union, and activist Catherine M’seteka affiliated with the International Domestic Workers Federation (IDWF). The panel called for more inclusion of marginalised communities while there was also the recognition that platforms are working at enhancing efforts aimed at ensuring that they do not infringe on user rights and freedoms.  
 
With discussions spanning a wide array of digital rights issues, FIFAfrica24 is set to continue as a critical platform for shaping the future of internet freedom and digital democracy in Africa. As such, the event will conclude with the launch of the annual State of Internet Freedom in Africa report which will focus on the theme of technology and elections.

Join the Conversation
Be sure to stay connected, follow the debates and discussions, and contribute your thoughts and insights to the #InternetFreedomAfrica community. Follow @cipesaug and FIFAfrica24 co-host @AfricTivistes for updates!

Queries
Send queries to [email protected]

24Sep

Shaping the Future of Digital Democracy in Africa as FIFAfrica24 Kicks Off in Dakar This Week

Author CIPESA Posted on

FIFAfrica24 | 
This week, the Forum on Internet Freedom in Africa 2024 (FIFAfrica24), the continent’s leading event on digital rights, is set to take place from September 24-27, 2024 in Dakar, Senegal. This year’s forum promises to be an exciting convergence of digital rights advocates, the private sector, policymakers, and civil society actors from across Africa and beyond. It also features over 150 expert speakers, participating across 55 sessions.
 
Now in its 11th year, the Forum is hosted annually by the Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA). This year, CIPESA is co-hosting the event alongside Dakar-based AfricTivistes, marking a significant milestone in ongoing efforts to advance digital democracy, particularly in Francophone Africa during what has been touted as the Year of Democracy.
 
FIFAfrica24 kicks off with two days of pre-events (24-25 September), which include strategic meetings and workshops as well as training sessions designed to equip participants with critical skills and foster meaningful dialogue on digital rights issues. This will be followed by two days of public access (26-27 September), where attendees will engage in robust discussions around seven tracks: 

  • Digital Inclusion
  • Digital Resilience                            
  • Freedom of Expression & Access to Information
  • Information disorder (mis/disinformation)            
  • Implications of AI            
  • Governance and Policy
  • Movement Building 

See the Agenda | Meet the Speakers
In addition to thought-provoking panel discussions and dynamic lightning talks, FIFAfrica24 will host a vibrant exhibition featuring nine exhibitors showcasing their work. This exhibition offers attendees a unique opportunity to explore innovative projects and engage directly with a diverse range of actors driving change in Africa’s digital landscape.
 
Furthermore, FIFAfrica24 will host a bilingual Digital Security Hub, providing hands-on support in English and French to help participants strengthen their digital resilience. This hub will serve as a crucial resource for activists, journalists, and civil society organisations operating in challenging environments.
 
As the digital age in Africa continues to evolve FIFAfrica24 offers a unique opportunity to build collaborations and advance digital transformation across  the continent.
 
For more information, visit the FIFAfrica24 website or follow us on social media using #FIFAfrica24 and #InternetFreedomAfrica.
 
Please direct any media-related queries to [email protected]
 
About AfricTivistes
 
Established in 2015, AfricTivistes – the African League of Cyber-Activists and Bloggers for Democracy is a pan-African organisation that promotes and defends democracy, good governance and human rights through digital means. Across its programs, AfricTivistes works to foster digital transformation and enhanced citizenship in Africa led by change actors.
 
About CIPESA
CIPESA was established in 2004 in response to the findings of the Louder Voices Report for the UK’s then Department for International Development (DFID), which cited the lack of easy, affordable and timely access to information about ICT-related issues and processes as a key barrier to effective and inclusive ICT policy making in Africa.
 
CIPESA’s work continues to respond to a shortage of information, resources and actors consistently working at the nexus of technology, human rights and society. Initially set up with a focus on research in East and Southern African countries, CIPESA has since expanded its efforts to include advocacy, capacity development and movement building across the African continent.
 
About the Forum on Internet Freedom in Africa
FIFAfrica is a landmark event that brings together a diverse array of stakeholders from across the internet governance and digital rights spheres in Africa and beyond to deliberate on critical gaps, challenges, and opportunities for advancing privacy, free expression, inclusion, the free flow of information, civic participation, and innovation online.
 
Over the years, FIFAfrica has grown to serve as a vital response to the mounting obstacles facing internet freedom across African nations, including threats such as arrests and intimidation of online users, internet disruptions, and the proliferation of laws and inclusive regulations that stifle the potential of digital technology for socio-economic and political development on the continent.
 
By placing internet freedom directly on the agenda of key stakeholders, including African policymakers, global platform operators, telecommunications companies, regulators, human rights defenders, academia, law enforcement, and the media, FIFAfrica sets the stage for concerted efforts to advance digital rights in Africa and promote the multi-stakeholder model of internet governance.
 
In 2023, FIFAfrica marked a decade of existence and in 2024, will see the first edition to be hosted in Francophone Africa. Previous editions have been hosted in Uganda, South Africa, Ghana, Ethiopia, Zambia and Tanzania.

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