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03Sep

CIPESA Delivers Training to Ugandan Editors on AI in the Newsroom

Author CIPESA Posted on

By CIPESA Writer |

Artificial intelligence (AI)-related legal and national policy frameworks were the focus for Ugandan editors at an August 20, 2025, workshop organised by the Uganda Editors Guild and World Association of News Publishers (WAN IFRA). The training deliberated on responsible adoption of AI tools by newsrooms and saw participants brainstorm how to effectively navigate the complexities that AI poses to the media industry and the practice of journalism.

WAN-IFRA WIN Deputy Executive, Operations, Jane Godia emphasised that artificial intelligence is evolving rapidly and media houses can no longer afford to ignore the shift. “What we’re really focused on is how to embrace AI in ways that strengthen the core of journalism, and not to replace it, but to enhance its usage while safeguarding credibility and editorial independence,” she said.

Godia urged newsrooms to develop clear AI policies to guide ethical and responsible reporting in this new era in order to promote meaningful conversations about establishing practical, well-defined policies that harness the power of AI without compromising journalistic ethics.

At the workshop, the Collaboration on International ICT for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA) presentations focused on the state of artificial intelligence regulation and noted with concern, the lack of an AI-specific legislation in the country. However, there are several laws and policies in which provisions that touch the application and use of AI can be drawn. CIPESA highlighted existing legal frameworks enabling AI deployment, current regulatory gaps, and the consequent implications of AI on newsrooms.

The key legal instruments highlighted include the Uganda Data Protection and Privacy Act enacted in 2019, which provides for the protection and regulation of personal data, and whose data protection rights and principles apply to processing of data by AI systems. Section 27 of this Act specifically provides for rights related to automated decision-making, which brings the application of AI directly under the section.

The other instruments discussed include the Copyright and Neighboring Rights Act, which protects the rights of proprietors and authors from unfair use, and the National Payment Systems Act, which regulates payment systems and grants the Central Bank regulatory oversight over payments. Furthermore, the National Information Technology Authority, Uganda (NITA-U) Act establishes the National Information Technology Authority with a mandate to enhance public service delivery and to champion the transformation of livelihoods of Ugandans using information and communication technologies (ICT). While these laws do not specifically mention AI, some of their provisions can be utilised to regulate AI-related practices and processes.

Other laws discussed include the Uganda Communications Act enacted in 2013, which establishes the Uganda Communications Commission as the communications sector regulator that, among others, oversees the deployment of AI in the sector. Meanwhile, the Regulation of Interception of Communications Act (RICA) enacted in 2010, requires telecommunication service providers in section 8(1)(b) to aid interception of communications by installing hardware and software, which are essentially AI manned. Also relevant is the Anti-Terrorism Act provides for the interception of communication for persons suspected to be engaged in perpetration of acts of terrorism and the Computer Misuse Act provides for several offences committed using computers.

In addition to the laws, various AI-linked policy frameworks were also presented. These include Vision 2040, which is intended to drive Uganda into a middle-income status country by 2040; the National Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) Strategy (2020), which aims to position Uganda as a continental hub for 4IR technologies by 2040; and Uganda’s third National Development Plan (NDP III), which is a comprehensive framework to guide the country’s development. These strategic frameworks cover some areas of Machine Learning and AI integration by virtue of being technology-oriented.

Making reference to the Artificial Intelligence in Eastern Africa Newsrooms report, Edrine Wanyama,  Programmes Manager-Legal at CIPESA, highlighted the advantages of AI in newsrooms as extending to increased increased productivity and efficiency in task performance, decrease in daily workload, faster reporting of news stories, quicker fact-checks and detection of disinformation and misinformation patterns.

On the flip side, the workshop also highlighted the current risks associated with use of AI in newsrooms, including facilitating disinformation and misinformation, the tradeoff of accuracy for speed by journalists and editors, over-reliance on AI tools at the cost of individual creativity, the erosion of journalistic ethics and integrity, and the threat of job loss that looms over journalists and editors.

Dr. Peter G. Mwesige, Chief of Party at CIPESA, urged editors to think beyond what AI can do for journalists and newsrooms, and treat AI itself as a beat to be covered critically. Citing trends from other markets, he observed that media coverage is often incomplete, swinging between hype and alarm, and called for explanatory, evidence-based reporting on the promise and limits of AI. He noted that one of AI’s most compelling capabilities is processing large data sets, such as election results, rapidly and at scale.

On the ethical front, Dr. Mwesige emphasised the need for transparency, saying journalists should disclose material use of AI in significant editorial tasks. He urged newsrooms to adopt clear internal policies or integrate AI guidance into existing editorial guidelines.

Dr. Mwesige concluded that while AI can assist with brainstorming story ideas, editing, and transcription, among others, “journalists must still put in the hard work.”
Following the deliberations, CIPESA presented recommendations that challenged the use of AI in the newsroom and the protection of the participants, if AI is to be used meaningfully and ethically without compromising integrity and professionalism.

  • Ethically use AI by, among others, complying with acceptable standards such as the Paris Charter on AI, respect for copyright and acknowledge sources of works.
  • In collaboration with other newsrooms and media houses, develop best practices including policies to guide the integration and application of AI in their work.
  • Media houses should collaboratively invest resources in training journalists in responsible and ethical use of AI.
  • Employ and deploy the use of fact-checkers to deal with information disorders like misinformation, disinformation and deepfakes.
  • Respect other people’s rights, such as intellectual property rights and the right to privacy, while using AI.
  • Use AI under the exercise of extra caution when generating content to avoid cases of unethical usage that often undermines journalism’s ethical standards.
  • Prioritise human oversight over the application and use of AI to ensure that all cases of excessive intrusion by AI are ironed out and a human aspect is added to generated content.

13Aug

Claiming Digital Rights in Uganda’s Business Sector

Author CIPESA Posted on

By CIPESA Writer |

In an era where digital technologies are reshaping every sector including health, agriculture, finance, education and the labour market, Uganda is fast-tracking its ambition to become a fully connected, inclusive digital society. Yet, as the country rolls out its Digital Transformation Roadmap, critical questions remain: Who is being left behind? Who bears the cost of connecting the unconnected? How do we ensure that technological innovation does not come at the expense of human rights protection?

These were the central concerns at the inaugural National Business and Digital Rights Policy Dialogue hosted by the Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA) on July 23, 2025. The event brought together 55 participants comprising policymakers, innovators, civil society, the private sector, and development partners to explore how Uganda’s digital transformation is affecting human rights, especially data protection, privacy, access, and equity. The dialogue reviewed not just Uganda’s      progress, but the power dynamics, policy gaps, and human rights risks shaping digitalisation in business.

The Digital Vision vs. The Digital Reality

Uganda’s Digital Transformation Roadmap sets bold targets: 90% household connectivity, nationwide broadband coverage, and widespread e-service access by 2040. Progress is visible, with over 4,000km of national optical fibre infrastructure laid, and more than 100 digital public services rolled out. Yet, beneath these achievements, gaps in digital literacy, access and utility, as well as funding constraints, persist.

According to the 2024 National Population and Housing Census, Uganda’s population stands at 45.9 million, of whom 50.5% are under the age of 18, representing a massive youth cohort born into a digital world yet often lacking affordable internet access and digital tools. Connectivity gaps are further shaped by geography, with over 75% of the population living in rural areas where infrastructure is limited.

On the gender lens, women who comprise 23.4 million of the population, slightly outnumbering men at 22.5 million, continue to disproportionately face digital access barriers. These range from high data costs, low digital literacy, and limited access to devices and digital infrastructure, especially in rural and remote districts. As one of the panelists during the policy dialogue noted, “Digital transformation is moving fast, but our institutions and communities are not always keeping pace.”

Meanwhile, the informal sector, which employs approximately 80-92% of the country’s workforce, remains largely invisible in national digital strategies and compliance frameworks. This informal sector significantly overlaps with Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), which are central to Uganda’s economic growth, yet they often operate without proper tools to secure user data or navigate the evolving digital compliance landscape due to limited awareness, resources, and technical capacity.

As businesses digitise, their responsibility to protect users’ rights increases. However, many of them lack the knowledge to protect these rights. Uganda’s laws and enforcement mechanisms also have gaps. As a result, there is weak oversight over fintech platforms and digital lenders, low awareness and implementation of the Data Protection and Privacy Act, rampant digital surveillance, and gendered digital harms, including online harassment.

Data Is Power but Who Holds It?

Uganda’s fast-growing population is generating an unprecedented amount of personal data. The 2024 population census itself relied on tablet-based digital enumeration for the first time. However, while digital data collection is expanding, data governance is not keeping pace. The Personal Data Protection Office (PDPO) and National Information Technology Authority Uganda (NITA-U) are key players, but capacity and resourcing gaps persist. If left unaddressed, digital innovation risks entrenching inequality, with vulnerable populations, especially refugees, informal workers, and low-income women, paying the price for systems that were not designed with their rights in mind.      

Digital Rights are Human Rights

The future of work in the advent of technology emerged as a key aspect of digital rights, with Moses Okello of the National Organisation of Trade Unions (NOTU) warning that Uganda’s labour laws have not kept pace with the rise of gig work and digital employment. Millions of informal workers remain unprotected and unaware of their rights in the digital economy. He called for urgent legal reforms and a national strategy that integrates labour protections into digital policy, while urging stronger collaboration with civil society to build grassroots awareness and empower workers to navigate digital transitions.

Ruth Ssekindi, Director at the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC), underscored the commission’s constitutional duty to uphold human rights across both state and private sectors, particularly in Uganda’s fast-evolving digital landscape. She highlighted growing concerns over digital rights violations including uninformed data consent, artificial intelligence (AI) manipulation, child exploitation, and poor data security, noting that these challenges disproportionately affect vulnerable populations amid low digital literacy and weak enforcement.

Ssekindi called on businesses to embrace a broader duty of care that goes beyond tax compliance and profit, stressing the need to respect, protect, and remedy digital rights violations. She also pointed to the persistent gender gap in digital access and urged greater inclusion of women and marginalised communities in digital development. While the UHRC plays a key role in shaping digital governance through legal review, education, and policy oversight, she noted that the commission must be adequately resourced, empowered and supported to effectively fulfil its mandate in the digital age.

The dialogue reinforced a clear message that connectivity alone is not enough. Uganda must build an inclusive digital economy anchored in justice, transparency, and community voice. This means empowering watchdog institutions like the PDPO, updating outdated laws and regulations, investing in digital literacy, especially for youths and women, and supporting civic participation in digital policy-making.

In direct response, CIPESA launched the #BeeraSharp (translated as “Be Smart”) campaign. This initiative aims to equip Ugandan businesses with the knowledge and tools to act responsibly in the digital space. #BeeraSharp champions a culture of accountability, urging businesses to take charge of how they collect, store, share, and protect user data. It also promotes understanding of legal obligations under Uganda’s Data Protection and Privacy Act, while encouraging ethical digital conduct across sectors.

A Digital Future for All?

As Uganda ramps up its digitalisation agenda and embraces emerging technologies such as AI and robotics, businesses, policymakers, and civil society must work hand in hand to ensure Uganda’s digital revolution is not just a story of innovation but also a story of inclusion and respect for human rights. As the dialogue closed, one key takeaway stood out: Uganda’s digital future must be intentionally inclusive and rights-driven. Achieving this will require cross-sector collaboration to scale digital skills, reform of outdated laws, more financial and capacity support to institutions like UHRC, NITA-U and the PDPO to protect data rights, and empowering communities through digital literacy, local innovation, and inclusive governance.

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!

04Jun

Joint Statement by the ICT Sector on the Unlawful Arrest and Prosecution of Rose Njeri

Author CIPESA Posted on

Joint Statement |

We, the undersigned stakeholders in Kenya’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector, stand together in firm condemnation of the unlawful arrest, detention, and prosecution of software developer and civic activist Rose Njeri (@rtunguru)

Rose Njeri, a software developer and mother of two, was detained on Friday, May 30, 2025, following a police raid on her home in Nairobi, where authorities seized her electronic devices, including her phone, laptop, and hard drives. As of this morning, she remained detained, her whereabouts were unknown, and she had not been presented to any court, despite multiple attempts by her legal counsel to establish the charges against her or secure her release. Reports indicate that Ms. Njeri suffers from anaemia and was denied proper access to healthcare during her detention. In addition, her arrest and detention over a long public holiday weekend appear to have been deliberately calculated to extend her detention without judicial oversight.

It is alleged that Ms. Njeri’s arrest stems from her development of an online civic platform (civic-email.vercel.app) which seeks to provide a coordinated solution for Kenyan citizens to formally present views to the National Assembly in response to the ongoing public participation discussions on the Finance Bill, 2025. In particular, the platform enables them to simply register their objections to clause 52 of the Bill which proposes the deletion of Section 59A (1B) of the Tax Procedures Act, which currently prohibits the Commissioner of the Kenya Revenue Authority from requiring a person to integrate or share data relating to “(a) trade secrets; and (b) private or personal data held on behalf of customers or collected in the course of business.”

On Tuesday afternoon, Ms. Njeri was presented before the court, more than 88 hours after her arrest, despite the legal requirement under Article 49 of the Constitution that she be brought to court within 24 hours.  Worse, she has been charged under Section 16 of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, 2018 with “unauthorised interference with a computer system,” an offence which carries a maximum penalty of a fine of up to ten million shillings, imprisonment of up to five years, or both. These could double if aggravating circumstances are cited. Ms. Njeri has since been released on personal bond of KES 100,000 and will be expected back in court on 20 June 2025 for a ruling on the validity of the charges.

We view this charge as baseless, trumped-up, and irrelevant to the alleged offence, as it misrepresents a legitimate act of civic engagement as a cybercrime. In our considered view, embracing digital technologies and the creation of a platform to facilitate public participation on the Finance Bill 2025 is a protected exercise of the rights to freedom of expression, access to information, and public participation under Articles 10, 33, 35, and 118 of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010. Section 16 is intended to address serious cybercrimes such as hacking, sabotage, or malicious disruption of computer systems by individuals who act without authorisation or consent from the system owner. Therefore, to charge Ms. Njeri under Section 16 is a gross misapplication of the law, an abuse of court process, and a disproportionate act which fails to demonstrate any credible offence, interference, or threat to public safety or national security as claimed.

Ms. Njeri’s prosecution comes in the wake of a recent public apology by the President to the public. It is also not an isolated incident but one that is emblematic of a dangerous pattern in Kenya, where authorities have repeatedly weaponised various ICT laws to intimidate and silence government critics, activists, bloggers, journalists, technologists and citizens. They are measures designed to stifle digital rights, activism, and the civic space, rather than to curb real-world cybercrimes. As of December 2024, the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) detected at least 840,921,998 cyber threats, an increase of 27.2% reported in the previous quarter, yet these are barely investigated or the responsible cyber criminals prosecuted.

Kenya has long been recognised as a beacon of digital growth and innovation in Africa, a reputation built on its vibrant technology landscape and a constitutional framework that safeguards fundamental human rights. A thriving, innovative, and competitive ICT sector is inextricably linked to a free, open, and secure digital space. A climate of fear, pervasive surveillance, and arbitrary arrests and detentions severely undermines Kenya’s hard-earned reputation as a regional technology hub. The sector cannot flourish where fundamental rights are routinely undermined or where the rule of law is selectively applied. The predictability and stability afforded by robust digital rights protections are crucial for attracting local and foreign investment, fostering innovation, and ensuring Kenya’s continued leadership in the digital economy.

As ICT sector stakeholders, we reaffirm our commitment to an open, inclusive, and secure digital ecosystem in Kenya. We stand in solidarity with Rose Njeri and all individuals unjustly targeted for exercising their digital rights. The misuse of the CMCA to criminalise a public interest technology platform for civic participation is a direct attack on democratic values and innovation. We pledge to advocate for policies that protect human rights while promoting digital civic engagement.

We also urge the Kenyan public, international community, and fellow ICT stakeholders to join us in condemning these violations and to demand greater accountability.

Also, we call on the Kenyan government, law enforcement, and relevant authorities to:

Immediately drop the charges against Rose Njeri unconditionally, and return all her confiscated electronic devices without delay. Ensure that ICT laws are not misused or weaponised to suppress legitimate exercise of rights and cease practices such as arbitrary arrests, detentions without charge, and the confiscation of devices. Officers engaging in such unlawful practices should be held accountable for their actions. Reform the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act and the Kenya Information and Communications Act (KICA), and abandon proposed Bills that violate digital rights or stifle legitimate online activities. Engage with stakeholders in the ICT sector, including academia, media, civil society, and the tech community, to develop laws that promote cybersecurity while safeguarding fundamental human rights. Demonstrate a clear and unwavering commitment to fostering an open, secure, and rights-respecting digital ecosystem, including refraining from arbitrary internet shutdowns, content blocking, and unlawful surveillance.

Lastly, we reaffirm our commitment to defending digital rights and civic space in Kenya. The use of public digital tools to facilitate citizen engagement with Parliament is not a crime; it is a cornerstone of our democracy.

Signatories

Access Now

Africa Centre for People Institutions and Society (ACEPIS)

ARTICLE 19 Eastern Africa

Baraza Media Lab

Bloggers Association of Kenya (BAKE)

CIPESA

CyberYetu

Data Privacy and Governance Society of Kenya (DPGSK)

Founders Connect Kenya

IAWRT Kenya

Icon Data and Learning Labs

Interactive Entertainment Association

Internet Society, Kenya Chapter

Internews – KenSafeSpace

Kenya Coalition on Youth Peace and Security

KICTANet

Kijiji Yeetu

Media Lawyers Association of Kenya (MLAK)

Mzalendo Trust

Paradigm Initiative

Pollicy Data Institute

Tatua Digital Resilience Centre

Women in STEM Leaders Network

Women in Tech Policy and Governance

zKe Voices

03Jun

Will the ECOWAS Judgment on Senegal Redefine Digital Rights in Francophone Africa?

Author CIPESA Posted on

By Simone Toussi |

On May 14, 2025, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court of Justice issued a landmark  judgment in the case ‘Association of Information and Communication Technology Users (ASUTIC) and Ndiaga Gueye against Republic of Senegal’, declaring that Senegal’s internet and social media shutdowns in June and July 2023 were clear violations of  fundamental human rights, including freedom of expression, right to access information, right to assembly and the right to work.

The court’s unequivocal stance reaffirms that digital access is integral to the exercise of basic freedoms. Building on the landmark 2020 ECOWAS ruling – which condemned internet shutdowns during anti-government protests and ordered Togo to pay a fine – this new decision could have far-reaching implications for Francophone Africa, where digital repression has been steadily increasing.

Internet shutdowns, often invoked as a security measure during times of public protest and unrest, do not occur in isolation. In the case of Senegal, the network disruptions of 2023 were repeated in early February 2024, when mobile data was blocked nationwide following the postponement of the presidential election.  This marked the country’s third disruption in less than 12 months, underscoring a pattern of digital repression.

Since 2017, when Cameroon imposed one of the longest internet shutdowns on record during political unrest, Francophone African countries have often  resorted to digital blackouts to manage electoral tensions and suppress dissent. This pattern has shown no signs of abating. In 2023 alone, Mauritania cut mobile internet for nearly a week during protests in May and June; Guinea blocked access to Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, and TikTok in May ahead of nationwide demonstrations; and Gabon enforced an 87-hour internet shutdown during its August presidential elections, crippling communication at the height of an electoral crisis.

The trend persisted into 2024 which  on January 17 saw Comoros disrupting internet access following violent protests after President Azali Assoumani’s re-election. Mauritania once again restricted mobile internet for 22 days starting July 2 after the June 29 presidential elections and subsequent protests disputing the results. Mozambique followed suit with mobile internet disruptions on October 25, with intermittent blackouts and renewed social media restrictions thereafter.

These successive shutdowns, particularly in electoral contexts, reflect a deepening erosion of digital rights, a weakening of democratic institutions, and underscore the urgent need for stronger regional and legal safeguards to prevent state overreach and protect democratic expression online. With key elections approaching in countries such as Côte d’Ivoire (October 2025), Cameroon (October 2025), and Guinea (December 2025), the risk of politically motivated internet shutdowns remains acute. The weaponisation of connectivity restrictions could show up again as a normalised tool of authoritarian control, undermining transparency and civic participation across the region. The Court’s directive that Senegal should “refrain from imposing unlawful or arbitrary internet restrictions in the future” sets a binding legal standard for the ECOWAS countries, arming digital rights defenders with legal background and legitimacy to ask for government’s accountability in a context where regional enforcement mechanisms are often weak.

Internet shutdowns have been shown to cost countries millions in lost productivity, investor confidence, and digital service disruption. The ECOWAS Court’s acknowledgment of this economic dimension strengthens the case for proactive policy reforms at both national and regional levels. By explicitly linking internet access to freedom of expression and “the right to work”, the ECOWAS Court positions digital rights within the broader framework of socio-economic and civic rights, thus offering legitimacy to civil society and legal advocates’ appeals on future shutdowns not only on civil liberties grounds, but also for their economic impact.

As internet access becomes more central to democratic participation, economic livelihoods, and civil discourse, this decision marks a watershed moment that could significantly shift the digital governance landscape across the region.

However, the impact of this decision will depend on its effective implementation. Governments, civil society, digital rights defenders, legal actors and regional institutions shall ensure that the Court’s recommendations translate into enforceable policy changes, including national legislation that explicitly prohibits arbitrary internet restrictions. They shall be ready to leverage this ruling to ensure that Francophone countries in the region and beyond adopt or draw inspiration from it to better safeguard human rights.

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