Change Makers ● Africa Internet Rights Alliance (AIRA) is a network of civil society organizations that aims to protect and promote digital rights throughout the African continent. Its primary objective is to advocate for policies that safeguard online freedoms and privacy. ● AfChix, led by Dorcas Muthoni, is a platform that connects African women in tech with each other and the resources they need to gain knowledge and skills about technology to improve their lives. The organization empowers women to be active contributors to technology policy discussions, thereby promoting diversity and gender inclusivity in digital rights advocacy. ● The Africa Innovation Mradi, a Mozilla-led initiative, promotes innovation models grounded in the unique needs of users in the African continent. The program is exploring and developing new technology and products by establishing a network of partners and building a community to support these models. Its focus on strengthening local innovation ecosystems in the Global Majority, building products for real life, and movement building is making an indelible mark on the tech policy and digital rights field. ● The Freedom Online Coalition is a group of countries deeply committed to the human rights and fundamental freedoms proclaimed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. As a proactive coalition, members work closely to coordinate their diplomatic efforts and engage with civil society and the private sector to support Internet freedom, including free expression, association, assembly, and privacy online. As a result, they have ensured that Internet freedom issues are on the international policy agenda, driving concrete policy changes and outcomes through diplomatic coordination, shaping global norms, and multistakeholder collaboration. ● The State of Internet Freedom in Africa is a thought leadership series produced annually since 2014 by CIPESA. It remains a key reference point on key issues concerning digital rights and the digital society and economy. ● The African Declaration on Internet Rights and Freedoms is a pan-African initiative launched in 2014 to promote human rights online in Africa. It is a response to the region's clear need for a rights-based approach to Internet policy. The text of the Declaration is based on existing human rights principles, and a coalition of 23 organizations and numerous individuals (the Coalition) are using it as an advocacy tool to promote and apply human rights standards and principles of openness in Internet policy in their national contexts. What are some of the emerging threats or pressing challenges to Internet freedom in Africa, and how can we stay ahead of them? Emerging threats and pressing challenges to Internet freedom in Africa present complex issues that demand our attention. These challenges encompass a range of issues, including online censorship, cyberattacks, regulatory gaps and inconsistencies, and a multitude of factors complicating the Internet freedom landscape. One of the foremost concerns is the increasing online censorship, which poses a significant threat to the very essence of Internet freedom. Content blocking, misinformation, and enforcing restrictions are tools used to stifle freedom of expression and access to information. These practices erode the foundations of a free and open Internet. Moreover, the continent is facing a rising wave of cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure. These attacks can disrupt essential services, compromise data security, and lead to economic and social consequences. Addressing this growing threat is imperative to ensure a secure digital environment. The rapid pace of technological advancements often outpaces the development of regulatory frameworks, creating potential gaps and inconsistencies in digital rights protection. This regulatory lag poses a challenge in adapting to evolving threats - and opportunities. Inconsistencies and constraints in enforcement across countries further complicate the regulatory landscape, hindering the promotion of Internet freedom. 20 A CIPESA Series