West Africa’s digital landscape is expanding rapidly, yet it faces increasing cyber threats, data breaches, and online risks that threaten individuals, businesses, and governments. As internet penetration grows, so does the urgency to strengthen cybersecurity, enhance data protection, and promote online safety. This session will explore current and emerging cyber threats—including ransomware, phishing, and identity theft—while analysing data protection frameworks and the impact of cross-border data flows. We will also discuss online safety challenges such as cyberbullying, misinformation, and digital trust. A holistic approach is needed to secure digital assets, build regulatory resilience, and foster a culture of cybersecurity awareness. The session will highlight best practices in incident response, breach management, and privacy-enhancing technologies (PETs) to mitigate risks and empower individuals with the knowledge to stay protected.
Key Focus Areas 1. Cybersecurity Threats & Mitigation – Identifying evolving cyber threats and strategies for securing critical infrastructure. 2. Data Protection Frameworks – Assessing regional data protection laws, regulatory gaps, and alignment with global standards like GDPR and the Malabo Convention. 3. Online Safety & Digital Trust – Tackling cyberbullying, misinformation, and harmful content while promoting responsible online behaviour. 4. Incident Response & Breach Management – Strengthening breach response mechanisms, regulatory compliance, and resilience strategies. 5. Digital Literacy & Awareness – Promoting cybersecurity education and awareness at all levels of society. 6. Privacy-Enhancing Technologies (PETs) – Leveraging PETs for data security and privacy protection in digital transactions.
Expected Outcomes 1. A clear understanding of West Africa’s cybersecurity, data protection, and online safety landscape. 2. Practical recommendations for national and regional digital resilience strategies. 3. Enhanced awareness of cyber threats and data protection best practices. 4. Guidance for policymakers on strengthening digital governance and regulatory frameworks. 5. A call for international cooperation to harmonise cybersecurity and data protection efforts. Format The session will feature a lecture-style presentation with visual aids and real-world case studies. A dedicated Q&A segment will allow participants to engage actively.
Target Audience 1. Government officials, policymakers, and regulatory bodies. 2. Cybersecurity professionals and IT experts. 3. Data Protection Authorities (DPAs). 4. Civil society organizations advocating for digital rights. 5. Business leaders, SMEs, and entrepreneurs. 6. Academics, researchers, and general internet users.
Conclusion Digital resilience is critical for West Africa’s future. This session will provide actionable insights, foster collaboration, and drive innovative solutions to strengthen cybersecurity, data protection, and online safety across the region.
While digital transformation continues to reshape societies, marginalized communities in Africa often remain excluded from the benefits of secure digital practices. These communities face unique challenges, such as limited access to resources, low levels of digital literacy, and exposure to cyber threats. Despite efforts to raise awareness, a critical gap persists in embedding sustainable digital security practices tailored to the realities of these communities. This interactive workshop will move beyond theoretical awareness to practical implementation. Participants will explore innovative strategies, grassroots-led initiatives, and actionable tools designed to integrate digital security into the daily lives of underserved populations. Through hands-on demonstrations and real-world case studies, this session will provide a platform to share experiences, foster collaboration, and equip attendees with a framework to address digital security challenges at the local level.
Key Objectives: Identify Barriers: Explore the unique challenges marginalized communities face in adopting secure digital practices. Share Innovations: Present creative, low-cost solutions and tools that align with the specific needs of these communities. Empower Grassroots Organizations: Highlight the pivotal role of grassroots organizations in promoting localized digital safety initiatives. Provide Practical Frameworks: Equip participants with tools and frameworks to build localized, sustainable digital security programs.
Expected Outcomes: Participants will leave with: A deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities in embedding digital security practices in marginalized communities. Exposure to innovative tools and methods tailored to underserved populations. A framework for implementing sustainable digital security programs. Enhanced collaboration between grassroots organizations, policymakers, and digital rights advocates to drive community-centric digital safety initiatives.
Target Audience: Grassroots organizations working with underserved communities. Digital rights advocates. Policymakers focused on inclusivity and digital transformation. Educators and trainers in the digital literacy space. Technologists interested in accessible and localized digital security solutions.
L'Afrique risque d'être encore confronté à des coupures de l'internet. Au Sénégal, nous avons depuis 2016 fait un plaidoyer pour un renforcement juridique de la protection des utilisateurs et de la neutralité de l'internet. La session que nous proposons vise à sensibiliser les participants sur les risques de coupures et comment travailler à l'éviter. Le fait que les gouvernements ont souvent comme argument la diffusion des discours de haine sur internet pour faire des restrictions n'est plus à démontrer.
La session aura comme objectif de mettre en lumière l'importance d'un plaidoyer préventif en tenant en compte l'exemple que nous avons vécu au Sénégal dans le cadre des manifestations politiques (2021 -- 2024) afin d'outiller les citoyens des peuples africains a traverser des périodes comme telles le cas échéant.
Ce partage d'expérience sera suivi du partage de témoignage sur comment la population a vécu les coupures, les impacts au niveau économique et social afin de décourager les autorités dans leurs intention de couper internet très facilement.
L'autre aspect de la session mettra aussi en lumière le travail qui doit être fait pour enlever aux autorités leurs argument de diffusion des discours de haine pour couper, en faisant la promotion d'un usage responsable de l'internet.
En définitive nous aurons aussi comme objectif d'amener les plateformes à prendre leurs responsabilité dans la prolifération du discours de haine et trouver la documentation (textes juridiques) pour chaque pays concerné au niveau locale pour en finir avec les coupures de l'internet et soutenir le plaidoyer. Dans le cadre du plaidoyer il faut comprendre que les responsables de plateformes ne prennent pas souvent en compte les besoins en Afrique. L'Afrique est le parent pauvre en ce qui concerne la responsabilité des plateforme. Nous aurons, dans le cadre de ce panel comme obligation de travailler en synergie pour engager nos différentes autorités de régulation du numérique à unir leurs forces sous la bannière de la charte africaine des peuples et de la convention de Malabo à s'unir pour engager les responsables de plateforme à mieux considérer l'Afrique.
This session will highlight the STANDS (Stemming the Tides of Abuse in Nigeria’s Digital Space) initiative, a Paradigm Initiative project, as a model for strengthening digital rights protection in West Africa. STANDS combines policy advocacy, legislative engagement, government capacity building, civil society support, and strategic litigation to address digital rights violations. The discussion will explore the initiative’s impact, successes, challenges, and how similar frameworks can be adapted across the region. Session Format Presentation: Overview of the STANDS initiative, its key strategies, and measurable impact. Case Studies: Examples of policy wins, strategic litigation, and capacity-building efforts. Panel Discussion: Experts will discuss lessons learned, sustainability, and expansion of digital rights protections.
Q&A and Recommendations: Participants will explore ways to implement similar models in their contexts.
Key Discussions STANDS’ Impact on Digital Rights Protection
How STANDS has influenced policy, legislation, and digital security in Nigeria.
Successes in legal and advocacy efforts, including engagement with key stakeholders.
Case Studies of Successful Interventions
Strategic litigation cases and policy reforms.
Capacity-building efforts for government, civil society, and media.
Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration
Effective engagement between government, civil society, legal experts, and international organizations.
Challenges and opportunities in fostering partnerships.
Sustainability and Future Expansion
Ensuring long-term impact and scaling STANDS beyond Nigeria.
Lessons for strengthening regional digital rights protection.
Policy Recommendations
Legislative and policy measures to enhance digital security and rights.
Strategies to improve digital literacy and advocacy efforts.
Why Attend? Attendees will gain insights into how a holistic approach can drive digital rights protection, learn from real-world case studies, and explore strategies for regional adoption. This session offers an opportunity for networking and knowledge sharing on best practices in digital rights advocacy. Who Should Attend? Policymakers and government officials Civil society organizations and digital rights advocates
Legal professionals and human rights defenders
Researchers and academics focused on digital governance
Representatives from international organizations
Media practitioners covering digital rights and policy
Technology companies engaged in policy and advocacy
This session provides a platform to exchange ideas, strengthen collaborations, and explore pathways for advancing digital rights in West Africa.
Paradigm Initiative, Senior Programs Officer, Anglophone West Africa
Khadijah El-Usman is the regional lead for Anglophone West-Africa at Paradigm Initiative with a focus to advance Internet freedom, and monitor the legal and policy framework around the region, to ensure that citizens’ rights are protected online.Khadijah is a legal practitioner... Read More →
