A week ago, #FIFAfrica26 kicked off in Mauritius🇲🇺. Thank you to everyone who joined us in person and online. From #DPI and #AI to #DigitalDemocracy, #DataGovernance and #PlatformAccountability, you helped shape conversations on a rights-based digital future for Africa. Keep the experience going: 🟧Read the 2026 State of Internet Freedom in Africa report: tinyurl.com/5t3k94dp 🟧Relive sessions on our YouTube playlist:tinyurl.com/beftztsm 🟧Browse the #FIFAfrica26 Gallery: flickr.com/photos/183536774@… 🟧Share your story and tag @cipesaug or use #FIFAfrica26 🟧Tell us what you think via the feedback form:tinyurl.com/udj9yand Special thanks to our co-host Halley Movement Coalition and all our partners. @OpenTechFund #InternetFreedomAfrica #BeTheExperience

Africa must turn criticism into excellence The chief guest at #FIFAfrica26, Lutchmanah Pentiah, Minister of Public Service and Administrative Reforms, Mauritius, has challenged Africa to turn criticism into excellence and harness its human potential, citing China and India's transformation from economically weak countries into global economic powers. It is time for Africa to respond to criticism with a practical reaction. It is time for Africa to challenge itself, he said. Pentiah said Africa must now exploit its human capital, historical heritage and Ubuntu philosophy and mentality to succeed and stand tall on the global stage, becoming so excellent that it can no longer be ignored by the big techs and making the continent proud. He said Africa should not still be grappling with issues such as copyright infringement by Western firms in 2026 in the same way it did in the 1930s. Pentiah said Africa has already demonstrated in the past that it has the capacity to fix its own challenges. #InternetFreedomAfrica

Mahendranath Busgopaul, secretary-general of Halley Movement Coalition @halleymovement, says the partnership with @cipesaug to co-host #FIFAfrica26 in Mauritius is more than just an event, as Halley Movement has always advocated for an inclusive digital environment for all. He cited the social media blackout in Mauritius in November 2024, when Halley Movement and the Internet Society issued a joint statement advocating for an open and accessible internet and expressing concerns about internet shutdowns, platform restrictions and censorship. He urged attendees to take the conversations beyond the conference halls, continue advocating for digital rights and challenge new ideas.

Patricia Ainembabazi and Kailash BusgoPaul of Halley Movement were on RM1 La Radio Nationale to talk about #FIFAfrica26. Some of the subjects discussed were: 🟧Internet shutdowns in Africa. 🟧The state of #AI regulation in Africa. 🟧Our State of Internet Freedom in Africa report, covering Digital Public Infrastructure in 10 countries, will be launched on 1 Oct 2026. Watch the full recap here: youtube.com/watch?v=-1lws7Yv… #InternetFreedomAfrica

PRE EVENT: Technology Facilitated Gender Based Violence: Africa-Centered Data and Policy. At this pre-event hosted by @APC_News, #feminist researchers, women human rights defenders and civil society practitioners from across Africa are presenting APC-supported research and advocacy initiatives, including work from the Feminist Internet Research Network. They shared progress, challenges encountered and emerging evidence on technology-facilitated gender-based violence, including targeted attacks on journalists and bloggers. Participants from across the continent are adding their own country experiences so as to learn critical lessons to reinforce the fight against #TFGBV. #TFGBV #InternetFreedomAfrica

Big things are coming to Mauritius🇲🇺! #FIFAfrica26 is bringing together 500+ changemakers, policymakers, tech enthusiasts, journalists, activists, human rights defenders & innovators ,from 60+ countries! From Sept 28–Oct 1, 2026, we're tackling AI governance, digital democracy, internet shutdowns & more. This is THE moment to shape Africa's digital future! Register &/submit your proposal here:tinyurl.com/42rwc2nv Get your ticket here: internetfreedom.africa/ #InternetFreedomAfrica