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Preparing for Digital Disruptions During Africa’s Year of Elections

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By ‘Gbenga Sesan

This year, 23 African countries will hold elections – ranging from local to parliamentary and presidential. Considering that election seasons are known to come with many digital rights violations, including internet shutdowns, digital platform clampdowns, privacy breaches and other digital restrictions, it is essential to pay attention, anticipate likely infringements and work to ensure the respect of citizen rights in the digital sphere, alongside others.

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Over the last two years, the internet has been shut down by the governments of the Republic of the Congo, Niger, Uganda and Zambia during election periods. Of the five African countries that shut down the internet in 2022, one of them (Somalia) held elections the same year, while three (Sierra Leone, Sudan and Zimbabwe) have elections planned for 2023. Burkina Faso’s shutdown may not be directly linked to elections, but it is connected to the country’s January 2022 coup d’état.

In 2023, presidential elections will hold in Gabon, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Sudan and Zimbabwe. All of them, except Madagascar, have shut down the internet or restricted the use of digital platforms. Apart from Libya, all the other countries that have elections in 2023 and have disrupted access to the internet or digital platforms before did so within the last three years. Will they do so again, under the guise of preventing the spread of misinformation, countering dangerous speech, possible violence or any other excuse used in the past, as they approach elections in 2023?

Gabon has had the same president since October 2009. After Omar Bongo – who had been the country’s president for 42 years – died in June 2009, his son, Ali Bongo Ondimba, Minister of Defense at the time, won the elections conducted four months later. The January 2019 internet shutdown in Gabon happened during a military coup attempt, and the government refused to respond to civil society enquiry on the reason for the shutdown.

Liberia cut off access to its most popular social media platform during protests in June 2019. Libya’s disputed elections have been postponed three times in the past four years. Still, the country is no stranger to digital rights violations during public interest events, beginning with its February 2011 shutdown of internet and international phone services in response to protests.

In June 2021, Nigeria announced a nationwide shutdown of access to a social media platform considered one of the country’s last-standing civic spaces. Even though an Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court of Justice ruling declared the government’s decision to suspend Twitter “unlawful and inconsistent with the country’s international obligations” and “ ordered Nigeria to ensure the unlawful suspension would not reoccur and to take necessary steps to amend its laws to be in conformity with the rights and freedoms enshrined in the ACHPR and ICCPR”, the government has refused to confirm that such violations will not reoccur.

In August 2022, Paradigm Initiative (PIN), a Pan African organization that advocates for digital rights and inclusion, and other digital rights stakeholders condemned an internet shutdown that followed during citizen protests in Sierra Leone. Even for a country where only 6.5% of the population has access to the Internet, South Sudan shut down the internet ahead of planned protests in August 2021. Even though a Sudan court ordered the end of the internet shutdown that followed protests against a military coup in October 2021, it did not stop the country from repeating the violation again in June 2022, ahead of planned protests. Speaking on the June 2022 shutdown, the Sudanese Engineers Syndicate said, “…cutting off internet and communication services in Sudan has become a pattern and led to many violations.

In January 2019, Zimbabwe shut down the internet in response to citizens’ protests. At the end of the three-day closure ordered by the government, it asked telecommunications companies to implement shutdowns a second time in the same week. A judge ruled that the shutdown was illegal but that did not stop another shutdown at the end of July 2020.

For countries that have developed the habit of disrupting digital access during significant democratic events, it appears that judicial pronouncements, civil society condemnation or citizen dissent are never enough to prevent future violations. However, it is important to prepare for the likelihood of such violations of digital rights and challenge them to prevent impunity.

As all twenty-three African countries go to the polls, the task of protecting citizen rights – including preventing, condemning and/or seeking redress – does not rest on civil society organisations and activists alone. We must all work to ensure that a continent that lost $261 million to internet shutdowns in 2022 and desperately needs to maximise digital opportunities for its citizens stays off the path of digital clampdowns that do not serve anyone’s interest.

We must support the work of digital rights actors who continue to document evidence of digital rights infractions, provide information on how to stay safe and help citizens seek redress when violations happen. Through the annual Londa report, PIN has documented digital rights violations and significant policy updates across African countries since 2016. Each year since 2019, Londa, which included 22 independent country reports in 2021, forms the basis of short films produced by PIN to condense the message into less than thirty minutes of infotainment.

The short film based on the 2021 report, Finding Diana , is available on PIN’s YouTube page, as well as the 2020 film, Focus, and 2019 film, Training Day. Building on information from the reports and short films that expose violations and deliberate bad practices, PIN developed a digital rights toolkit, Ayeta, to educate digital rights actors and other citizens on how to protect themselves in digital spaces. If violations happen despite citizen action to protect themselves, the Ripoti platform provides an opportunity to report incidents and seek legal redress.

During elections, PIN provides country-specific information on how to stay online if digital clampdowns happen. The first edition of the Digital Rights and Elections in Africa Meetings (DREAM) was held in Abuja on February 7, 2023, ahead of Nigeria’s February 25 and March 11 general elections. Similar editions are planned to hold ahead of elections in other countries. We know that election seasons are fraught with violations and so we must prepare for digital disruptions.

However, as it happened in 2020 in Ghana and 2022 in Kenya, it is possible that no digital disruptions will be reported in most countries. Civil society organisations working in both countries will tell you that it requires a lot of work to avoid disruptions. Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty, in this case, because there are many competing interests during elections, and even in countries with no record of digital rights violations, some of those interests are served by clampdowns on the opposition and dissenting voices.

The best time to prepare for likely violations is before they happen, and it is your duty and mine to make that preparation happen across the African countries that will hold elections in 2023.

The writer is the Executive Director of Paradigm Initiative and a member of the United Nations Secretary General’s Internet Governance Forum (IGF) Leadership Panel.


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Ugo Onwuaso is an ICT enthusiast. He believes technology should be used for general good. He holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from the Lagos state University. Dear Reader, Your support matters. But we believe that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. That is why, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and finance and how they affect lives. Our incisive and analytical view of how technology news affects the daily life help individuals and organizations make up their minds. Quality journalism costs money. Today, we're asking that you support us to do more. Kindly support our effort to deliver technology and finance journalism to everyone in the world. Donate as little as N1,000. Bank transfers can be made to: UBA Plc 1017156876 Communication Week Media Ltd

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ACAMB Champions Bankers Wellness with Aerobics Fitness Session

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As part of its commitment to promoting a healthier and more resilient banking workforce, the Association of Corporate Affairs Managers of Banks (ACAMB) is organizing a special Aerobics Fitness Session on Saturday, May 31, 2025 at the Lagoon Front of the Eko Atlantic City.

The session is open to all bankers and marketing communication professionals within the industry and will feature a lineup of fun and energizing activities aimed at boosting physical and mental wellbeing.

With stress levels and burnout on the rise in high-pressure sectors like banking, ACAMB is taking, as it has done over the years, proactive steps to encourage lifestyle habits that support overall wellness and productivity.

Participants will begin the morning with a body warm-up and short walk to get their energy flowing, followed by an exciting dance aerobics session designed to elevate heart rates and lift spirits.

The day will continue with interactive fitness games that promote movement and team bonding, and will wrap up with a friendly but motivating fitness challenge to inspire healthy competition and personal bests.

“Bankers are vital to the financial ecosystem, and their wellness must be a priority,” said Rasheed Bolarinwa, President of ACAMB.

“This aerobics session is a powerful way to foster a culture of health, team bonding, and preventive care. It reflects our belief as ExCO that a strong mind and body, are essential for long-term professional excellence.”

The session is expected to kick off early in the morning to take advantage of the fresh morning air, allowing participants to start their weekend with energy, movement, and connection. It also presents an opportunity to unwind and build camaraderie amongst colleagues outside the traditional office setting.

This initiative is one of several wellness-focused programms ACAMB is rolling out to reinforce the importance of employee wellbeing in corporate and marketing communication and the broader banking ecosystem.

The Association of Corporate Affairs Managers of Banks (ACAMB) is the recognized professional association for marketing communications and public affairs executives in Nigeria’s banking industry.

ACAMB drives ethical communication standards, promotes internal and external stakeholder engagement, and supports member banks in advancing reputation, trust, employee growth and wellbeing.


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DStv Makes History: Inducted into Brand Africa Hall of Fame as Africa’s Most Admired Media Brand

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DStv, Africa’s leading entertainment platform, has been officially recognised as the #1 Most Admired African Media Brand in the Brand Africa 100 | Africa’s Best Brands 2025 rankings.

This recognition also sees DStv inducted into the prestigious Brand Africa Hall of Fame, a distinction reserved for iconic African brands that have significantly shaped the continent’s global image and competitiveness over the years.

The announcement was made at a high-profile ceremony hosted at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) in Addis Ababa, where leaders from across the African media and branding landscape gathered to honour the continent’s most impactful brands.

Launched in 1995, DStv has evolved from a digital satellite television pioneer into a content powerhouse, transforming the African viewing experience through continuous innovation, investment in local content, and a deep commitment to telling African stories.

“This honour reflects the incredible journey we’ve taken with our audiences across Africa. Being named Africa’s most admired media brand and joining the Brand Africa Hall of Fame is not just a celebration of where we’ve come from—it’s a reaffirmation of where we’re going.

“Our commitment to local storytelling, cultural authenticity, and innovation remains stronger than ever.

“We are proud to be a brand that not only entertains but uplifts and connects Africans through stories that matter.” States Calvo Mawela, Group CEO of MultiChoice.

Each year, the Brand Africa 100 survey identifies the most admired brands across the continent, based on independent research conducted in over 30 African countries, representing over 85% of Africa’s population and GDP, with more than 150,000 brand mentions and 5,930 unique brands.

The rankings are compiled through a rigorous process led by research partners including GeoPoll, Kantar, Integrate, and Analysis, making it the only pan-African, research-led and non-commercial brand equity study of its kind.

DStv’s induction into the Hall of Fame further cements its position not just as a media brand, but as a cultural force that continues to shape narratives and inspire pride across Africa. Through its investments in local productions, partnerships with African creators, and focus on quality storytelling, DStv remains at the forefront of Africa’s growing creative economy.

DStv was also honoured with the same top recognition in 2024, reinforcing its consistent excellence and enduring connection with audiences across Africa. Since its launch 30 years ago with just 16 channels, DStv has evolved into a dynamic content powerhouse, offering a rich mix of local productions, global entertainment, and integrated streaming options.

Today, it serves millions of households across the continent, delivering hundreds of channels and platforms that reflect the diversity, creativity, and aspirations of African viewers.


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The Silent Killer of Great Companies: A Guide To Why Your Processes Will Break (and How to Fix Them) 

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By Tolulope Obianwu

Every high-growth company experiences a moment when its engine sputters—quietly at first. Emails slip through cracks, customers wait too long, and once-smooth systems start breaking under pressure. This rarely looks like failure; it feels like chaos.

Tolu Obianwu

The truth? Your team didn’t fail. Your process did.

More accurately, the process you never designed to scale.

I’ve led operations and strategy at some of Africa’s fastest-growing fintech companies, building teams and systems that power complex payment infrastructure. And I’ve seen it repeatedly: velocity hides inefficiency—until it doesn’t.

This isn’t just a fintech problem. It’s a scaling problem. And if you’re a founder, operator, or builder, this article is your early warning: poor process doesn’t announce itself. It accumulates, silently, until your best people are fighting fires they didn’t start.

So, before things break, let’s talk about what makes processes fail, and what it takes to build operational structures that scale with your ambition.

  1. DO NOT Confuse Speed with System: Startups are built on hustle. That’s part of the magic. But hustle without design leads to fragile outcomes. What works when you’re a 5-person team becomes a burden when you’re 50. Manually sorting payments, ad-hoc decisions, Slack approvals; these shortcuts become operational debt.

DO THIS INSTEAD:
Build systems early. They don’t have to be perfect, but they must be repeatable. Even lightweight process maps give your team breathing room and build investor confidence.

  1. DO NOT Build Around Individuals: We romanticise “indispensable” team members; the only person who knows how X works. But hero-driven execution is unsustainable. When your process depends on one person being online, awake, or available, you’re not building a company. You’re gambling on burnout.

DO THIS INSTEAD:
Document workflows, spread context, and make knowledge transfer part of your onboarding and offboarding. Structure should outlive talent.

  1. DO NOT Mistake Micromanagement for Control: I’ve seen it too often: leaders respond by inserting themselves into every decision when processes start breaking down. It’s understandable, but counterproductive. Micromanagement is not a fix. It’s a symptom.

DO THIS INSTEAD:
Create trust frameworks. Use process audits, not pressure. Empower teams with clear guardrails, not constant approvals. The goal of an exemplary process isn’t control – it’s clarity.

  1. DO NOT Design for the Happy Path Only: Most processes look beautiful on paper until real users, real edge cases, and real stress tests come in. If your refund process fails when the volume spikes or your reconciliation breaks on public holidays, that’s not a people problem. It’s a design flaw.

DO THIS INSTEAD:
Anticipate failure. Ask “What could go wrong?” Run simulations. Processes must bend without breaking. That’s true resilience.

  1. DO NOT ignore the Role of Culture: Even the best-designed processes die in hostile environments. If your culture rewards shortcuts, ignores documentation, or treats processes as bureaucracy, nothing will stick.

DO THIS INSTEAD:
Make ‘process’ a language, not a punishment. Celebrate people who fix broken steps. Tie operational excellence to career growth. Culture is what makes a process sustainable.

  1. DO NOT Launch Processes Without Data Loops: If you’re not tracking turnaround times, errors, or usage, you’re not managing a process; you’re just hoping it works.

DO THIS INSTEAD:
Instrument every stage. Set KPIs that matter. Let data flag inefficiencies before customers feel them. A great process isn’t just followed – it’s monitored.

Final Thoughts

The truth is: every fast-growing company outgrows its old ways of doing things. There comes a time when velocity alone can’t carry the vision anymore. That’s inevitable. What isn’t inevitable is being caught off guard when it happens.

If you’re building for scale, process isn’t a bottleneck; it’s your runway. The best systems don’t slow people down; they let good teams move faster, with clarity and confidence.

Don’t wait for failure to expose what structure could have prevented it. Build deliberately. Review often. Automate what you can. And above all, make sure your process is strong enough to carry the weight of your ambition.

Because in the long run, it’s not speed that wins.

It’s the ability to move fast, without breaking yourself.

Tolulope Obianwu is a highly experienced professional in operations and technology strategy and currently is Head, Core Operations at TeamApt Ltd


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