The Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum (DRIF) is a crucial platform where conversations on digital policy in the Global South are shaped, policy directions are debated, and partnerships are forged for action. It hosts diverse skills and capacities for enhancing digital rights and inclusion on the African continent and beyond. It is a Paradigm Initiative (PIN) flagship platform for communities of practice focused on privacy, affordable Internet, increasing women’s access to digital tools, Internet shutdowns, and similar themes. DRIF has set its tone as the arena for addressing topical global issues related to Internet rights in the Global South and consolidating views from civil society, technology companies, governments, academia, and other stakeholders. The 12th edition (DRIF25) streamlined engagements, focusing on specific sub-themes to promote digital rights and inclusion.

The 12th edition was hosted under the theme “Promoting Digital Ubuntu in Approaches to Technology,” calling for diverse actors, including governments and private sector actors, to be responsible and accountable for digital rights. DRIF25 served as a platform for awareness raising, spotlighting pressing issues such as existing digital threats, cybersecurity, data governance, platform accountability, the ethical implications of AI, and digital public infrastructure and digital inclusion for marginalised groups. The event cultivated partnerships and collaboration across all thematic areas, ensuring that the discussions and recommendations translate into joint initiatives for advancing digital rights advocacy.