africa

This report presents observations on the shutdowns experienced in recent years, and points to a link between the level of authoritarianism in a country and the likelihood of experiencing a network shutdown. It also looks at the economic and social impacts of these disruptions.

Civil disobedience is a tool that some governments on the African continent are increasingly realising can be fuelled and sustained by the internet, and this has seen more governments impose an internet shutdown.

Is privacy a concern for mobile phone users in Africa? How important is it to raise awareness about this issue? APC member KICTANet explores these questions in a series of interviews gathered in this video.

"Many women live in rural Africa and it's difficult for mobile operators to afford to extend to all of these areas. But if you can support community networks this means helping women too. So I would say that the first step for women's access is to support community networks."

Throughout the African continent, where many APC members and partners are based, recent weeks have seen a fresh spate of internet shutdowns that have hindered public access to information and communications.

The annual Forum on Internet Freedom in Africa brings together people from across the continent to deliberate on privacy, access to information, free expression, non-discrimination and the free flow of information online in the region. But what about gender perspectives?

AfriSIG fellow Noha Ashraf Abdel Baky reflects on the importance of including youth and grassroots organizations in multistakeholder decision making after the School's collaborative governance workshop.

Equity in digital access in Africa is far from being a reality. There is also a paucity of women in technology-related careers and more broadly in STEM. Nodumo Dhlamini explores the necessity of mentoring for women to make them confident users and implementers of ICT tools and solutions.