'Gbenga Sesan, Executive Director Paradigm Initiative taking a video of the Londa Report during the launch today at The Sarova Stanley Hotel /Cremmephotography

 

By Winnie Kamau

 

Nairobi, Kenya: At the close of the 10th Digital Rights Inclusion 3-Day Forum held in Nairobi, the LONDA report was launched giving insights into technology in Africa. Technology is crucial in connecting marginalized communities to the rest of the world in an increasingly globalized society. It also significantly impacts human rights and socioeconomic growth. 

Access to digital technology in Africa remains a huge challenge more so for persons with disabilities and underserved communities, a new report highlighting the state of digital rights and inclusion on the continent has revealed.

The 2022 Digital Rights and Inclusion- Londa Report published by Paradigm Initiative says access to digital opportunities by women and girls including Information Communication Technology (ICT) education requires improvement. 

The report points out that as much as governments have continued to increase efforts to bridge the digital divide and build digital economies, men have continued to outrank women in various indices, from the adoption and use of ICT tools to employment opportunities.

“Despite progress in bridging this divide, men continue to outrank women in various indices, from the adoption and use of ICT tools to employment opportunities. The introduction of prohibitive levies and taxes, which emerged as a common theme in the period under review, further impeded general access, as seen in Ghana, Malawi, and Uganda, amongst others,” the report states.

The author of the Kenyan report, Ms. Jackie Okello pointed out that Kenya does not have a tangible law that tackles internet access. However, she said the country has a broadband strategy that lays down the government’s plans on how to facilitate broadband access in areas that are not covered by the Internet.

The report also decries the introduction of prohibitive levies and taxes, which emerged as a common theme in the period under review, further impeding general access as seen in Ghana, Malawi, and Uganda.

Regarding the Universal Service Fund (USF), the report mentions that the fund exists in 22 out of 24 countries reported in Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tunisia, Uganda, Togo, The Gambia, Tanzania, Sudan, Rwanda, Nigeria, Malawi, Kenya, Ethiopia, Central African Republic, Benin, South Sudan, Namibia, and Botswana.

However, information on the number of funds raised, transparency, and impact varies widely among these countries. Two countries, Angola and the Gambia do not currently have a USF. The Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communication (GIFEC) is Ghana’s equivalent of a USF, but information on its funding and project expenditure reports are not readily available.

However, information on the number of funds raised, transparency, and impact varies widely among the 22 countries.

As emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) gain traction, awareness, and adoption are growing on the continent. Recent developments with AI tools demonstrate not only the potential the technology possesses to accelerate socio-economic growth but also to aggravate existing inequalities. 

This underscores the need for rights-respecting AI frameworks across all sectors. For a continent where frameworks can be an afterthought and legislation often a knee-jerk reaction, playing catchup must desist. Frameworks and strategies need to be well-intentioned, adequately safeguard human rights, accommodate emerging trends and issues, and be transparently implemented.

Reachers discussing the Londa Report

The Londa report also discusses the issues surrounding data privacy and governance and the lack of accountability and oversight mechanisms for digital identification systems. Notably, Nigeria has taken steps towards a better data protection framework by releasing a draft Data Protection Bill, improving the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation.

In contrast, privacy concerns surround the newly introduced Ghana card and e-levy bill, much like its continental counterparts. Out of the 24 countries reported, only 17 have data protection legislation in place, and some have data protection bills with varying levels of progress toward implementation.

While the Central African Republic has no specific data legislation and relies on provisions of existing bills, South Sudan has no data legislation or framework. 

In the period under review, Ghana was reported by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) to be the most repressive West African country in the first
quarter of 2022, with 11 violations of press freedom recorded, followed by Nigeria with five violations; a concerning development for Ghana with a reasonably exemplary report in Londa 2021.

During the period under review, the Nigerian government also blocked online content and social media platforms directing media groups to stop using Twitter and threatening legal action against Nigerians who accessed the service via circumvention techniques.

Similarly, Angola had challenges with Internet freedom as Internet access remained expensive. Network challenges made it difficult for users to access the Internet without interruptions, especially in rural areas with a common refrain across the continent.

On the other hand, Botswana took a pro-Internet freedom stance with no credible reports of Internet disruptions, government interference, or the use of digital technologies for political repression or social control, while Malawi decriminalized sedition and related offenses.

With this understanding, governments continued efforts to bridge the digital divide and build digital economies. Zambia shared its National ICT Policy and new National Digital Transformation Strategy for stakeholder consultation. 

At the same time, Zimbabwe continued its technological advancements by implementing the Integrated Electronic Case Management System, which facilitates virtual court proceedings. 

Across West Africa, notable policies, including the Nigeria Digital Agriculture Strategy and National Policy on Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in Education, have been introduced. South Sudan is currently in the process of implementing its broadband strategy to facilitate the achievement of sustainable development goals (SDGs).

Londa’s recommendations cover a range of stakeholders, including the private sector, civil society, governments, the media, and academia. By implementing these recommendations and working together, stakeholders can build a strong and sustainable digital environment in Africa where everyone can exercise their rights online.

The report also notes that as emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) gain traction, awareness, and adoption are growing on the continent. “Recent developments with AI tools demonstrate not only the potential the technology possesses to accelerate socio-economic growth but also to aggravate existing inequalities.”

The report underscores the need for rights-respecting AI frameworks across all sectors. “For a continent where frameworks can be an afterthought and legislation often a knee-jerk reaction, playing catchup must desist. Frameworks and strategies need to be well-intentioned, adequately safeguard human rights, accommodate emerging trends and issues, and be transparently implemented,” it further states.

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