'Gbenga Sesan
Executive Director, Paradigm Initiative
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‘Gbenga Sesan is the Executive Director of Paradigm Initiative, a pan-African social enterprise working on digital inclusion and digital rights through its offices in Cameroon, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, Zambia and Zimbabwe. He is a member of the United Nations Secretary-General’s Internet Governance Forum (IGF) High-Level Leadership Panel and the International Panel on the Information Environment’s Scientific Panel on Global Standards for AI Auditing.
Before starting Paradigm Initiative, ‘Gbenga led the Lagos Digital Village, a joint project of Junior Achievement of Nigeria, Microsoft and the Lagos State Government. Originally trained as an Electronic and Electrical Engineer at Obafemi Awolowo University, he completed Executive Education programs at Lagos Business School, New York Group for Technology Transfer, Oxford University, Harvard University, Stanford University, Santa Clara University, University of the Pacific and INSEAD. ‘Gbenga’s consulting experience includes assignments completed for numerous institutions, including Microsoft, Harvard University and United Nations agencies, in over 30 countries.
A Schwab Foundation Social Entrepreneur of the Year and former member of the United Nations Committee of eLeaders on Youth and ICT, he is a CyberStewards Fellow, Crans Montana Forum Fellow, Archbishop Desmond Tutu Leadership Fellow, Ashoka Fellow, Our Common Future Fellow and Cordes Fellow. ‘Gbenga served as a member of the Presidential committees on Harmonization of Information Technology, Telecommunications and Broadcasting Sectors (2006) and Roadmap for the Achievement of Accelerated Universal Broadband Infrastructure and Services Provision (2013), and was listed by CNN as one of the Top 10 African Tech Voices on Twitter and by Ventures Africa as one of 40 African Legends Under 40. ‘Gbenga is married to Temilade Sesan, PhD, an Energy Poverty and Development expert.
‘Gbenga was a Non-Resident Fellow at the Digital Civil Society Lab at Stanford University from 2020 to 2021, advised the World Health Organisation on Data Privacy during the early days of the coronavirus pandemic and advised the World Economic Forum on its Operationalising Trust Project, to develop rights-respecting Data Policy for businesses.
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Advancing West Africa’s Digital Future through the Global Digital Compact
The Global Digital Compact (GDC), proposed under the United Nations framework, aims to foster an open, free, and secure digital future for all. Given the rapid digital transformation across West Africa, regional stakeholders must engage in discussions about the GDC’s principles and their implications for connectivity, digital inclusion, human rights, and digital cooperation in the region.
This session will focus on understanding the global digital compact: What does it mean for West Africa? It will also discuss bridging the digital divide by identifying strategies for ensuring universal and meaningful connectivity. The session will also discuss Data governance and digital rights as they relate to balancing security, privacy, and innovation. It will also discuss Promoting local content and digital entrepreneurship in the region and strengthening multi-stakeholder engagement in digital policy-making.
The session will further provide a platform to assess the challenges and opportunities of aligning West Africa’s digital governance priorities with the Global Digital Compact. It will explore the role of governments, private sector actors, civil society, and technical communities in shaping policies that ensure a more inclusive and equitable digital ecosystem.
This session outcome seeks to enhance West Africa’s participation in the conversations around implementing the recently adopted Global Digital Compact to ensure that the region’s unique challenges and opportunities are effectively represented.
Session Objectives:
Provide an overview of the Global Digital Compact and its relevance to West Africa’s digital landscape.
Discuss the role of regional and national policies in promoting inclusive digital governance.
Identify key challenges and opportunities in digital inclusion, connectivity, and cybersecurity.
Foster multi-stakeholder engagement to shape a regional perspective on the GDC.
Expected Outcomes:
Increased awareness and understanding of the Global Digital Compact among West African stakeholders.
Identification of priority areas for regional engagement in global digital policy discussions.
Recommendations for integrating West African perspectives into the Global Digital Compact framework.
Strengthened partnerships among governments, the private sector, and civil society for inclusive digital development
Session Format:
This interactive session will feature a combination of panel discussions and audience engagement. Participants will hear from leading voices in government, technology, and civil society who have firsthand experience shaping inclusive digital policies. Additionally, interactive breakout discussions will allow attendees to share their insights, challenges, and ideas for strengthening multi-stakeholder collaboration in digital governance.
From Policy to Progress: The Role of Africa’s Parliaments in Advancing Tech Development
This session will examine the role of African parliaments in crafting policies that drive digital transformation and technological growth. It will provide a platform for legislators, civil society representatives, and tech industry stakeholders to discuss challenges, opportunities, and strategies for fostering a dynamic and inclusive digital ecosystem. The session will highlight the importance of strong legislative frameworks, multi-stakeholder collaboration, and regional policy harmonisation in accelerating Africa’s digital future.
Session Format
Opening Remarks: Brief introduction to the role of African parliaments in digital governance.
Panel Discussion: Experts will discuss key legislative trends, digital rights considerations, and economic implications.
Case Studies: Examples of successful legislative approaches to digital development in Africa.
Q&A Session: Participants will engage with panellists on practical strategies for bridging policy gaps and fostering collaboration.
Key Discussions
Legislative Frameworks for Digital Development
Current policies shaping Africa’s digital ecosystem.
Gaps and opportunities in existing legal frameworks.
Digital Rights, Governance, and Economic Growth
The impact of digital rights protection on economic and social progress.
Balancing innovation, regulation, and human rights in digital policies.
Bridging the Gap Between Policymakers and Tech Innovators
Challenges in aligning regulatory frameworks with technological advancements.
Best practices for fostering collaboration between governments and the private sector.
Strengthening Multi-Stakeholder Engagement
The role of civil society and international organizations in digital policymaking.
Strategies for inclusive and transparent legislative processes.
Why Attend?
Participants will gain insights into how legislative policies influence digital transformation and economic growth. The session will provide a space for dialogue on improving collaboration between policymakers, civil society, and tech stakeholders to ensure Africa’s digital policies are inclusive, forward-thinking, and conducive to innovation. Attendees will leave with practical recommendations on policy development, regional cooperation, and strategies for addressing key legislative challenges.
Who Should Attend?
Policymakers and legislators shaping digital governance frameworks.
Civil society organizations advocating for digital rights and inclusion.
Technology industry leaders and entrepreneurs driving innovation.
Legal professionals specializing in digital policies and regulations.
International organizations supporting Africa’s digital transformation.
Researchers and academics analyzing digital governance trends.
Media practitioners covering technology, policy, and governance.
This session will serve as a critical forum for discussing Africa’s digital policy landscape, fostering collaboration, and identifying pathways to accelerate inclusive digital transformation.
Strengthening Digital Rights Protection: STANDS as a Best Practice Model
This session will highlight the STANDS (Stemming the Tides of Abuse in Nigeria’s Digital Space) initiative, a Paradigm Initiative project, as a model for strengthening digital rights protection in West Africa. STANDS combines policy advocacy, legislative engagement, government capacity building, civil society support, and strategic litigation to address digital rights violations. The discussion will explore the initiative’s impact, successes, challenges, and how similar frameworks can be adapted across the region.
Session Format
Presentation: Overview of the STANDS initiative, its key strategies, and measurable impact.
Case Studies: Examples of policy wins, strategic litigation, and capacity-building efforts.
Panel Discussion: Experts will discuss lessons learned, sustainability, and expansion of digital rights protections.
Q&A and Recommendations: Participants will explore ways to implement similar models in their contexts.
Key Discussions
STANDS’ Impact on Digital Rights Protection
How STANDS has influenced policy, legislation, and digital security in Nigeria.
Successes in legal and advocacy efforts, including engagement with key stakeholders.
Case Studies of Successful Interventions
Strategic litigation cases and policy reforms.
Capacity-building efforts for government, civil society, and media.
Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration
Effective engagement between government, civil society, legal experts, and international organizations.
Challenges and opportunities in fostering partnerships.
Sustainability and Future Expansion
Ensuring long-term impact and scaling STANDS beyond Nigeria.
Lessons for strengthening regional digital rights protection.
Policy Recommendations
Legislative and policy measures to enhance digital security and rights.
Strategies to improve digital literacy and advocacy efforts.
Why Attend?
Attendees will gain insights into how a holistic approach can drive digital rights protection, learn from real-world case studies, and explore strategies for regional adoption. This session offers an opportunity for networking and knowledge sharing on best practices in digital rights advocacy.
Who Should Attend?
Policymakers and government officials
Civil society organizations and digital rights advocates
Legal professionals and human rights defenders
Researchers and academics focused on digital governance
Representatives from international organizations
Media practitioners covering digital rights and policy
Technology companies engaged in policy and advocacy
This session provides a platform to exchange ideas, strengthen collaborations, and explore pathways for advancing digital rights in West Africa.
Leveraging Community-Centred Connectivity Initiatives in Closing the Connectivity Gap in Africa
Africa continues to grapple with a significant digital divide, with millions still lacking access to affordable and reliable internet. Traditional infrastructure rollouts by major telecommunications companies have proven insufficient in reaching underserved and rural communities. Community-centred connectivity initiatives, including community networks, public-private partnerships, and innovative local solutions, have emerged as viable models to bridge this gap.
This session will explore how these initiatives are transforming internet access across Africa. It will highlight successful case studies, discuss the policy and regulatory frameworks needed to support community-led solutions and examine the role of various stakeholders—including governments, civil society, and the private sector—in enabling sustainable and inclusive connectivity.
The objectives of this session are to
To showcase successful community-centred connectivity initiatives in Africa.
To discuss the role of public policies and regulations in fostering grassroots connectivity solutions.
To identify challenges and opportunities in scaling community networks.
To engage policymakers, civil society, and industry leaders in collaborative solutions for closing the connectivity gap.
The expected outcomes of the session are as follows
Increased awareness of successful community connectivity initiatives and their impact.
Policy recommendations for integrating community-centred approaches into national broadband strategies.
Strengthened partnerships among stakeholders to support grassroots connectivity efforts.
Identification of actionable steps to scale and sustain community-based internet solutions.
The target audience for the session are Policymakers and regulators, Community network practitioners, Telecom operators and tech innovatorsCivil society organisations, Academia and researchers and International development partners.
The session aligns with the AfIGF’s mission to promote inclusive and sustainable Internet governance policies across Africa. Focusing on community-centred solutions directly addresses key challenges related to connectivity, digital inclusion, and equitable internet access, contributing to the broader goal of an inclusive digital future for the continent.
The Role of Policy and Regulation in Achieving Universal Internet Access – Case Studies from Africa
The digital divide in Africa is one of the most pressing development challenges of our time. With over half of Africa's population still offline, the continent faces a unique set of challenges, including the lack of sufficient infrastructure, high connectivity costs, inadequate digital skills, and regulatory bottlenecks. However, these challenges are not insurmountable. By addressing these gaps through carefully crafted policies and effective regulation, African nations can open the door to the transformative potential of the internet for all their citizens.
Universal internet access is not merely a convenience, but a fundamental prerequisite for socio-economic development, political inclusion, and global competitiveness. Yet, across the African continent, over 60% of the population remains offline, grappling with a digital divide that inhibits access to education, healthcare, economic opportunities, and governance. This digital exclusion undermines Africa’s ability to fully leverage its demographic and technological potential. It is thus crucial for policy and regulatory frameworks to be designed and implemented strategically to bridge this gap.
Policy and regulation in the telecommunications and ICT sectors are at the heart of Africa's digital transformation. Governments play a critical role in shaping the infrastructure, affordability, and accessibility of internet services, yet the absence of coherent, forward-thinking policies has hindered progress in many parts of the continent. Where robust and inclusive regulations have been implemented, however, countries like Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania have demonstrated that policy and regulation can be powerful catalysts for universal internet access. These examples offer valuable lessons for other African nations seeking to replicate this success.
Objective
The primary objective of this session is to analyze how targeted policies and regulations have advanced (or hindered) universal internet access in African nations, with a focus on Tanzania, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda. The session seeks to identify best practices, draw lessons, and propose policy recommendations that could enhance internet accessibility across the continent.
Expected outcomes
By the end of the session, participants will have gained a comprehensive understanding of the pivotal role that policy and regulation play in achieving universal internet access across Africa. They will be equipped with practical insights from successful case studies in Tanzania, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Uganda, and Kenya, highlighting the impact of well-crafted regulatory frameworks in overcoming barriers to connectivity. By dissecting case studies and actionable recommendations, the session will equip policymakers, private sector actors, and civil society organizations with practical frameworks to advance universal internet access. It will foster collaboration among stakeholders, creating a platform for sustained dialogue and regional cooperation, ultimately contributing to Africa's digital transformation and socio-economic development.
Creative Communications: The Power of Audiovisual Mediums in Mainstreaming Digital Rights
Paradigm Initiative has actively documented the State of Digital Rights and Inclusion on the continent through its annual report, “Londa.” Although this report reaches a large audience, it has reached a significantly wider audience following its adaptation into short films. So far, the organisation has produced four short films: Training Day, Focus, Finding Diana, and Undersight.
Beyond historical facts, PIN frames the Londa report findings into storytelling while spotlighting the current realities plaguing the digital rights and inclusion ecosystems and highlighting what various stakeholders should do for a progressive state.
Undersight: The last edition of the organisation's film has garnered over 600,000 views in just six months of its public release on YouTube.
This trend shows the need for more organisations to leverage creative means to deliver messages from different themes to the intended target audience, wrapping them in mediums that are informative and entertaining.
Assessing Universal Service Funds in 26 African Countries
The African Union adopted the African Digital Compact (ADC) aimed at harnessing the transformative potential of digital technologies to foster sustainable development, economic growth, and societal well-being. However, the extent of digital exclusion in Africa remains pronounced and access to digital technologies is a major concern. The gap lies in digital infrastructure which is not developing at the rate required to reach underserved communities and many are left behind. Persons with disabilities and women are the most affected. The implementation of the Universal Service Funds in African countries is a strategic solution to bridging digital divides and increasing internet access but this approach is not yet being optimally utilised. Paradigm Initiative’s 2023 Londa Report, which assesses 26 African countries, provides insights into the implementation of Universal Service Funds. The report flags gaps and challenges that are barriers to the realisation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the African Digital Compact (ADC). This session will present findings on the number of countries in Africa implementing the fund and draw lessons from countries that are taking proactive action, and discuss the role of agencies that provide oversight for the implementation of the USF. The meaning of universal connectivity will be unpacked and a call made for different actors to collaboratively strive towards universal access and connectivity. The session will advance the ADC's ambitions of bridging the digital divides by making digital technologies accessible across the continent and enhancing digital skills to prepare Africans for the digital economy
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