12th Edition of Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum (DRIF25) Launched in Lusaka, Zambia
The 12th Edition of the Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum (DRIF) was officially launched, marking the beginning of preparations for the 2025 event set to take place in Lusaka, Zambia, from April 29 to May 1, 2025. The DRIF is a premier platform for discussing digital rights, inclusion, and policy in Africa and beyond. Over the years, the forum has brought together hundreds of stakeholders from various sectors, including non-governmental organizations, academia, media, the technical community, government, and the private sector.
Paradigm Initiative (PIN), a pan-African nonprofit organization, has been hosting the event since 2013, and for the 2025 edition, they will collaborate with several key partners, including Bloggers of Zambia, Common Cause Zambia, Internews Network Zambia, the Zambian Cybersecurity Initiative Foundation (ZCSI), Internet Society Zambia, the Zambia Information and Communication Technology Authority (ZICTA), and the Ministry of Technology and Science.
During the launch event, PIN’s Executive Director, *Gbenga Sesan*, emphasized the critical importance of protecting digital spaces, particularly the Internet, which he described as the “last standing civic space in the Global South.” He stressed the urgency of defending civic freedoms online, urging African nations to focus on safeguarding their own electoral systems and to be cautious of policies that could undermine digital freedoms, such as Internet shutdowns or laws that criminalize online activities in the name of national security.
Sesan noted, “The Internet is the last standing civic space we have in the Global South. Next year, we will gather here in Lusaka, Zambia, to discuss the need to fight for our own battles, to protect our civic spaces, and to ensure that policies truly serve the public and not undermine our freedoms.”
Richard Mulonga, the CEO of *Bloggers of Zambia*, echoed this sentiment, calling for a collective effort to fight for digital freedom. “We are freedom fighters in our own way. Every morning we wake up, we have to fight for digital freedom in our own contexts. We should fight for our own African democracy,” he said. Mulonga also highlighted that DRIF25 would help position Zambia as a key player in global conversations about digital rights and inclusion.
Brenda Zulu, the Digital Safety Coordinator at *Internews Network Zambia*, expressed her excitement for the collaboration and the role the organization would play in the upcoming forum. “We are committed to providing personalized guidance on safety practices and enhancing tools for digital security,” she said, underscoring the growing importance of digital safety in the context of rapid technological advancements.
The forum, now in its 12th edition, has established itself as a vital space where Africa’s digital policy landscape is debated, global digital rights issues are discussed, and partnerships for action are formed. Last year, the DRIF24, held in Accra, Ghana, attracted over 1,000 delegates from 61 countries, while DRIF23 in Nairobi, Kenya, saw participation from 601 individuals across 54 nations.
The 2025 forum, with the theme “Promoting Digital Ubuntu in Approaches to Technology,” is expected to continue these critical conversations and further strengthen Zambia’s role as a host for global dialogue on digital rights and inclusion.
The DRIF series is a powerful reminder of the importance of protecting digital rights in an increasingly interconnected world, and DRIF25 promises to be an essential milestone in the ongoing efforts to build a more inclusive, secure, and free digital environment for all.
Post Author
