Africa’s Governments Urged To Establish Favourable Digital Laws And Policies

By Samuel Ouma [caption id="attachment_101497" align="alignnone" width="650"] Gbenga Sesan, Executive Director at PIN[/caption] African governments have been urged to expand digital rights and inclusion on the continent by formulating favorable laws and policies. The appeal was made on the sidelines of the recently concluded PIN festival in Harare, Zimbabwe, by representatives from the social enterprise and the Association for Progressive Communications (APC). The festival celebrated the collective behind-the-scenes efforts to advance digital rights and inclusion in Africa over the years. According to the Paradigm Initiative (PIN), a leading Pan-African Digital Rights and Inclusion organization, citizens on the continent are using Information Communications Technology (ICTs) regularly, creating a need for rights-respecting and inclusive practices. Mr. Gbenga Sesan, Executive Director at PIN, said as much as many governments in Africa have made considerable progress towards improving privacy online, data protection, and providing affordable internet to increase access, much more needs to be done to bridge the existing digital divide. "Paradigm Initiative has been in existence for 15 years now, and over the years, we have seen gradual progress towards digital transformation, a clear indication of opportunities that exist towards safeguarding digital rights for all," Mr. Sesan added. On her part, Ms. Anriette Esterhuysen, Executive Director of the Association for Progressive Communications (APC), emphasized the need for developing policies geared towards empowering individuals and strengthening their livelihood capacities through ICTs. "Having worked together with Paradigm Initiative over the years, I can attest to the benefits that accrue when individuals and organizations are empowered. Access to ICTs leaves individuals, communities, and institutions in a better position to act and try to solve their own problems," she added. On her part, Ms. Anriette Esterhuysen, Executive Director of the Association for Progressive Communications (APC), emphasized the need for developing policies geared towards empowering individuals and strengthening their livelihood capacities through ICTs. "Having worked together with Paradigm Initiative over the years, I can attest to the benefits that accrue when individuals and organizations are empowered. Access to ICTs leaves individuals, communities, and institutions in a better position to act and try to solve their own problems," she added.