Document details

State of Internet Freedom in Africa 2023. A Decade of Internet Freedom in Africa: Recounting the Past, Shaping the Future

CIPESA (2023), 71 pp.
"This special edition honours the efforts of various state and non-state actors in the promotion of internet freedom in Africa. The report takes a deep dive into the dynamic landscape of internet freedom on the African continent and offers contextual information and evidence to inform ICT policymaking and practice, creates awareness on internet freedom issues on the continent, and shapes conversations by digital rights actors across the continent. Through a series of essays, authors in this special issue of the report reflect on the past 10 years on the state of Internet freedom in Africa, exploring various thematic issues around digital rights, including surveillance, privacy, censorship, disinformation, infrastructure, access, advocacy, online safety, internet shutdowns, among others. Authors featured in the report include, Admire Mare, Amanda Manyame, Blaise Pascal Andzongo Menyeng, Rima Rouibi, Victor Kapiyo, Felicia Anthonio. Richard Ngamita, Nanjala Nyabola, Professor Bitange Ndemo, Paul Kimumwe, and Edrine Wanyama. The report maps the way ahead for digital rights in Africa and the role that different stakeholders need to play to realise the Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa and Declaration 15 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development on leveraging digital technologies to accelerate human progress, bridge the digital divide, and develop knowledge societies." (Publisher description)
Digital Democracy Vs. [Digital] Authoritarianism: The Battle of Our Times / Wairagala Wakabi, 7
Internet Shutdowns: A Threat to Human Rights and Democratic Values in Africa / Felicia Anthonio, 13
Social Media & Content Regulation / Victor Kapiyo, 20
Enhancing Digitisation and Data Governance in Africa / Paul Kimumwe, 25
Online Activism and Civic Space in Africa in the Age of the Privatised Internet / Nanjala Nyabola, 29
Internet Freedom and New Forms of Censorship in Africa / Richard Ngamita, 33
Beyond the Screen: A Look at Gender and the Internet in Africa Over the Last Decade / Amanda Manyame, 39
Reflection on State Accountability for Digital Rights in the Past Decade: The Ups and Downs / Edrine Wanyama, 46
Africa's Digital Revolution: A Paradigm Shift in Economy, Society, and Internet Freedom / Bitange Ndemo, 52
Disinformation in Africa: A threat to Internet Freedom and Democracy / Blaise Pascal Andzongo Menyeng and Rima Rouibi, 60
Communication Interception and Surveillance in Africa: Trends / Admire Mare, 65