Background
Across Africa, civic movements and digital activism are redefining democratic participation amid accelerating authoritarian consolidation. Recent unconstitutional changes of government, protest waves, and grassroots mobilizations reveal both the power and fragility of digitally enabled political participation. Youth-led movements are increasingly leveraging online tools for organizing, advocacy, and accountability, while facing threats including surveillance, disinformation, and harassment. This webinar will critically assess whether digital democracy is expanding civic agency or reproducing new forms of control.
Objectives
- Explore how digital platforms are transforming civic engagement and political mobilization in Africa.
- Interrogate the political economy of digital platforms and their influence on democratic power dynamics.
- Assess the risks and challenges associated with digital activism, including surveillance, misinformation, and targeting of activists.
- Identify operational strategies that strengthen digital resilience and mitigate risk for frontline civic actors.
- Capture lessons to inform the Africa Regional Report and contribute to the Forum’s discussions on youth agency, accountability, and governance.