About DRIF

Since 2013, the Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum (DRIF), formerly known as the Internet Freedom Forum (IFF), continues to set the tone as a space for discussion on global challenges regarding digital rights and inclusion. DRIF is an important platform where conversations on digital policy in Africa are shaped, policy directions debated, and partnerships forged for action. DRIF 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 around privacy, affordable Internet, increasing women’s access to digital tools, Internet shutdowns and similar themes.

Every edition has a special topic that provides an overarching theme to guide discussions and engagements. The forum draws representation from the government, civil society actors, activists, academia, technologists, and the private sector to discuss diverse digital rights and inclusion themes. The forum also affords organisations the opportunity to launch tools, research, publications, platforms, and networks.

DRIF Events

Fostering Rights and Inclusion in the Digital Age

23rd – 25th of April 2024

April 2024 in Accra, Ghana will be another gathering of key stakeholders for the 11th edition of the Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum. The 11th edition will be held under the following sub-themes:

Trust and Accountability.
Data Protection, Privacy and Surveillance.
Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies.
Digital Inclusion and Marginalised Groups.
Human Rights and Freedoms.

Building a Sustainable Internet for All

12th – 14th of April 2023

This 10th edition, held in Nairobi, Kenya, witnessed the gathering of key stakeholders who offered contributions and insights into the conversation of laying the building blocks necessary to ensure a sustainable Internet future that leaves no one behind—canvassing a multi-stakeholder approach to universal, equitable, affordable and meaningful access to the Internet.

DRIF23 Report | Watch DRIF23

Towards a Digitally Inclusive and Rights Respecting Africa

12th – 14th April 2022

The discussions and debates at DRIF22 focused on issues plaguing Africa’s digital sphere, including; Data privacy, Affordable internet, Gender and ICTs, Disability rights and ICT, Health surveillance during COVID-19 times and Internet shutdowns.

DRIF22 Report | Watch DRIF22

Strengthening Human Rights in a Digital Age

12th – 30th April 2021

The 8th edition of the Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum (DRIF) was held under a model that celebrated the multi-country community promoting digital rights and inclusion in Africa. DRIF21 was a hybrid multi-country festival of in-person and virtual convenings. This 8th edition of DRIF hosted 32 sessions.

DRIF21 Report | Watch DRIF21

Protecting Human Rights Online and Expanding Digital access in Africa.

23rd – 25th April 2019

In 2019 the pan-African Internet Freedom Forum (IFF) was expanded to include conversations on digital inclusion. This led to the renaming of the forum as Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum (DRIF).

This edition of DRIF featured conversations on privacy, affordable internet, increasing women’s access to digital tools, internet shutdowns and similar themes.

Internet Freedom Forum

The Internet Freedom Forum (IFF), now known as the Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum (DRIF), featured conversations that brought attention to important issues confronting digital rights such as data privacy, internet shutdown, and access to the internet, among others. Since it began in 2013, the annual event welcomes delegates from at least thirty countries. IFF convening brought together the best minds in civil society, academia, government and industry from across Africa.

In 2019 IFF was rebranded as the Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum to include conversations on Digital Inclusion.