Deadline
June 20, 2025, at 18:00 (East Africa Time).
Description
The Forum on Internet Freedom in Africa 2025 (FIFAfrica25), organized by the Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA), is a leading platform for shaping digital rights, inclusion, and governance conversations in Africa. Scheduled for September 24–26, 2025, in Windhoek, Namibia, the event will gather policymakers, regulators, human rights defenders, journalists, academics, private sector players, global information intermediaries, bloggers, and developers. The forum offers a space to discuss gaps and opportunities for advancing privacy, free expression, inclusion, free flow of information, civic participation, and online innovation. Participants are invited to submit session proposals, including panel discussions, lightning talks, exhibitions, and skills workshops, to shape the FIFAfrica25 agenda. The 2025 edition will also feature the launch of the annual State of Internet Freedom in Africa report.
Benefits
- Shape the Agenda: Successful session proposals will influence the event’s discussions on critical digital rights issues.
- Networking Opportunities: Connect with a diverse group of stakeholders, including policymakers, human rights defenders, and tech innovators, to foster strategic collaborations.
- Showcase Advocacy Efforts: Provide a platform for entities advancing digital rights to present their work through artistic installations, photography, reports, interactive platforms, and physical stalls.
- Policy Influence: Contribute to shaping Africa’s voice in global digital governance processes, such as WSIS+20 and the Global Digital Compact.
- Travel Support: Limited funding is available to support travel and/or accommodation for successful applicants, with preference given to those who can partially fund their attendance or organize sessions.
- Knowledge Sharing: Engage in panel discussions, workshops, and lightning talks to share and gain insights on digital inclusion, AI governance, data privacy, and more.
Eligibility
- Target Group: Open to policymakers, regulators, human rights defenders, journalists, academics, private sector players, global information intermediaries, bloggers, developers, and other stakeholders interested in digital rights and internet freedom.
- Session Proposals: Proposals should align with thematic tracks, including:
- Digital Inclusion (e.g., minority communities, persons with disabilities, women, children, gig workers).
- Freedom of Expression & Access to Information (e.g., online rights, public accountability).
- Platform Accountability (e.g., tech governance, content moderation).
- Implications of AI (e.g., regulatory gaps, policy readiness, content regulation).
- Digital Economy (e.g., digital transformation, data sovereignty, data privacy).
- Digital Democracy (e.g., internet shutdowns, digital surveillance, civic tech).
- Travel Support: Preference for applicants who can partially support their attendance or organize sessions.
How to Apply
Submit session proposals or travel support applications via the FIFAfrica25 Proposal Submission Form by June 20, 2025, at 18:00 (East Africa Time). For questions or additional information, contact internetfreedom@cipesa.org. Successful applicants will be notified by July 1, 2025.
Official Website
Forum on Internet Freedom in Africa 2025: https://cipesa.org/2025/06/now-open-call-for-session-proposals-and-travel-support-applications/
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