The African Declaration on Internet Rights and Freedoms (AfDec), adopted in 2014, emerged as a critical response to the growing challenges and opportunities presented by the digital age. As the internet rapidly transformed societies across the African continent, concerns about privacy, security, censorship and digital inequality became increasingly prominent. This declaration, crafted by a coalition of civil society organisations, seeks to establish a framework for ensuring that the internet is used as a tool for social justice, economic development and human rights.

This paper examines the impact of the African Declaration on shaping digital rights discourse and policy in Africa, focusing on its role in promoting access, privacy and freedom of expression. By analysing the Declaration’s principles, civil society advocacy efforts, and Africa’s evolving digital landscape, this research evaluates the Declaration’s impact on policy decisions, public discourse, and the broader digital rights ecosystem on the continent.

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