Accra is gearing up to welcome delegates from 56 countries for the highly anticipated 11th Edition of the Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum (DRIF24), organized by the pan-African organization, Paradigm Initiative. Scheduled to take place from April 23 to April 25, the three-day forum will convene under the theme, “Fostering Rights and Inclusion in the Digital Age.”
Partner organizations in Ghana, including the E-Governance and Internet Governance Foundation for Africa (EGIGFA), the University of Media, Arts and Communication, the Media Foundation for West Africa, and others, are collaborating to ensure the success of the event.
DRIF24 serves as a crucial platform for shaping conversations on digital policy in Africa, fostering policy debates, and forging partnerships for collective action. With sponsors such as Wikimedia, African Digital Rights Network, Ford Foundation, and Google, among others, the event is set to attract diverse stakeholders from the global south to share experiences and strategize on transcending geographical boundaries.
Sub-themes at the forum will delve into critical topics such as Trust and Accountability, Data Protection, Privacy and Surveillance, Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies, and Digital Inclusion and Marginalized Groups. The event will feature a blend of panel sessions, tech demos, pre-event workshops, lightning talks, and exhibitions, covering various tracks including digital rights, digital inclusion, and digital security.
Last year's DRIF, held in Nairobi, Kenya, saw participation from 601 delegates representing 54 countries worldwide. With 70 sessions focusing on Internet shutdowns, data protection, content moderation, and more, the forum served as a platform for launching key research, platforms, and networks.
Thobekile Matimbe, PIN's Senior Manager, Partnerships and Engagements, emphasized that DRIF is not just a meeting of minds but a collective commitment to shaping a digital landscape prioritizing rights, inclusion, and empowerment for all. The upcoming edition aims to build on discussions from previous years, focusing on a sustainable Internet future that leaves no one behind.
Paradigm Initiative's commitment to connecting underserved young Africans with digital opportunities and protecting their rights underscores its leading role in ICT for Development and Digital Rights on the continent. With a track record of impacting over 150,000 youths across Africa through digital inclusion and digital rights programs, Paradigm Initiative continues to drive positive change in communities across the continent.
