Nigeria Falls in Digital Rights Index; South Africa Leads

According to the 2025 Londa report released by Paradigm Initiative, Nigeria has fallen five places in Africa's Digital Rights Score Index, ranking lower than countries such as South Africa, which leads for the second consecutive year. Other countries like Ghana, Namibia, and Senegal also rank higher than Nigeria.

The report, launched at the DRIF26 forum in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, provides a comprehensive assessment of internet freedom and digital rights across Africa, highlighting the risks and setbacks in protecting these rights. It notes improvements in Botswana and Egypt, while Nigeria and Cameroon have seen declines.

The report emphasizes the need for countries to adopt specific laws and policies to promote digital safety and privacy, especially for children. Mr.

Gbenga Sesan, the Executive Director of Paradigm Initiative, stressed the importance of addressing the gaps in digital rights and the need for stakeholders to work towards an inclusive digital future. The forum also discussed the implementation of human rights principles in digital public infrastructure.