According to the report published by Pan-African non-profit Paradigm Initiative, PIN, Cameroon continues to grapple with systemic challenges such as poor digital infrastructure, arbitrary arrests of journalists and human rights defenders, infringements on citizens’ privacy and the absence of proactive digital rights legislation.
Cameroon has been ranked among the bottom 15 of 27 African nations evaluated in the newly released 2024 Digital Rights and Inclusion in Africa Report–Londa, sparking concerns over the country’s commitment to upholding digital freedoms and human rights. The report, published by the Pan-African non-profit Paradigm Initiative, PIN, was officially launched at the 2025 Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum, DRIF25, held at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka recently. It introduces a new Score Index assessing countries’ compliance with key human rights standards outlined in the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information.
According to the report, Cameroon continues to grapple with systemic challenges such as poor digital infrastructure, arbitrary arrests of journalists and human rights defenders, infringements on citizens’ privacy, and the absence of proactive digital rights legislation. These issues place the country among the least performing in terms of digital inclusion and rights protection. A key concern raised in the report is the growing trend of internet disruptions across the continent. “The marked increase in internet shutdowns is a reflection of the reluctance of some African countries to comply with international human rights law,” the report states.
It describes such actions as a “dereliction of duty” that undermines freedom of expression and access to information. The report also identifies several cross-cutting challenges affecting many African countries. These include high data costs, which disproportionately affect women’s ability to access the internet, criminalization of so-called “false news,” and the lack of legal protections against online gender-based violence. It recommends that governments adopt civil rather than criminal sanctions to address misinformation, in line with international standards. The DRIF25 forum attracted 623 delegates from 66 countries, including policymakers, civil society leaders, tech innovators, academics, and representatives from the United Nations, diplomatic corps, and development agencies.
Held under the theme “Promoting Digital Ubuntu in Approaches to Technology,” the event featured 122 sessions, including panel discussions, workshops, exhibitions, and tech demos. This marked an increase from the 80 sessions held in 2024 and 70 in 2023. Paradigm Initiative has been at the forefront of digital rights advocacy and youth empowerment across Africa. Since 2007, the organization has impacted over 150,000 young Africans through its digital inclusion programs. With regional offices in Cameroon, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, PIN continues to push for equitable access to digital opportunities and protection of online freedoms.
