The 2024 Forum on Internet Freedom in Africa (FIFAfrica) took place from September 25-27, marking its first-ever edition in Francophone Africa. The event focused on digital democracy, online freedom of expression, and expanding internet access, especially for marginalized groups.
Despite rising internet usage, many African countries face barriers such as high costs and limited infrastructure. Cheikh Fall, president of AfricTivistes, stressed the urgency of addressing these gaps: "Africa missed out on past technological revolutions; it can't afford to miss the internet revolution."
The forum called for greater collaboration between governments and the private sector to improve accessibility and reduce internet costs. Cyriac Gbogou, AfricTivistes' vice president, urged governments to recognize the economic potential of the digital economy and work with providers to make the internet more affordable.
Participants also highlighted the need for policies to enhance internet freedom and curb restrictive regulations, which often lead to censorship and shutdowns, threatening Africa’s digital growth.
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