Londa has introduced a new Score Index report that ranks African countries based on their compliance with key human rights elements. The report, developed by Paradigm Initiative (PIN), was officially launched during the 2025 Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum (DRIF), which took place in Lusaka, Zambia, from April 29th to May 1st.
According to the new Index, South Africa leads the continent in adhering to principles of human rights, followed by Ghana, Zambia, Namibia, and Rwanda. Other countries in the top 10 include Nigeria, Senegal, Malawi, Tunisia, and Kenya. The Index evaluates countries against the standards set by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information.
The Londa Report focuses on 27 African countries and reveals that internet disruptions were a common occurrence across the continent in 2024. While some disruptions were due to infrastructure issues, such as undersea cable failures in The Gambia, others—including those in Comoros, Kenya, Mauritius, and Mozambique—were deliberate government-imposed shutdowns. The report emphasizes that such actions reflect a growing resistance among some African states to uphold international human rights obligations and promote access to information.
Beyond connectivity issues, the report addresses broader challenges affecting digital rights and inclusion. These include the high cost of internet data, which disproportionately affects women’s ability to access the internet, the criminalization of “false news” in contradiction to global recommendations for civil remedies, and the lack of legal frameworks for addressing online gender-based violence. Additionally, the report notes that most countries lack clear policies to ensure online safety for children, relying instead on outdated child protection laws that do not account for digital environments.
The report points out a concerning trend of regression in some countries like Kenya, particularly in the area of internet access, while countries such as Somalia have made significant progress towards affordability and access. At the same time, the report also acknowledges positive efforts by governments to promote digital access and use digital platforms for information dissemination.
The launch of the report was one of many highlights at DRIF 2025, which was held at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre (MICC) and brought together over 1,300 participants from 65 countries. Attendees included policymakers, civil society actors, international organizations, tech companies, donors, media professionals, and academics.
Held under the theme “Promoting Digital Ubuntu in Approaches to Technology,” DRIF 2025 largely reflected the growing interest and urgency in addressing digital rights challenges across the continent. The forum was organized by Paradigm Initiative in collaboration with local and regional partners including Bloggers of Zambia, Common Cause Zambia, Internet Society Zambia, and the Zambia Ministry of Technology and Science.
In addition to the Londa Report, PIN also launched its fifth short film, Whispers in the Wires, which is based on findings from the 2023 Londa Report. The organization also unveiled its new book The PIN Story: A Work in Progress, chronicling its journey from a cybercafé in Lagos, Nigeria, to becoming a leading voice in digital rights and inclusion across Africa.
DRIF continues to serve as a crucial space for dialogue and collaboration on digital rights, fostering cross-sectoral partnerships and policy discussions aimed at building a more inclusive digital future. The 12th edition of the forum builds upon the previous year’s theme, “Fostering Rights and Inclusion in the Digital Age,” and sets the stage for continued engagement across the continent and globally.