Change Makers What are some of the most promising innovations, best practices, and initiatives that are contributing to the expansion of Internet freedom and digital rights in Africa? There are several initiatives that are contributing to the expansion of Internet freedom, and here I list three of them. One of the promising ones that will allow for populations, especially the marginalised get connected is Community Networks, which can be especially useful in places with poor infrastructure and in places where business does not make economic sense. Another one is that of fintech, which allows for the economic empowerment of populations. Safe and secure communication tools such as encrypted messaging applications now protect users' privacy and the safety of online communication. In my opinion, apps such as Signal and Telegram have grown in popularity across the continent and are giving confidence to users. Organizations like KICTANet have been at the forefront in building the capacity of selected populations (women, persons with disabilities, farmers, youth in informal settlements, etc.) on digital security and cyber hygiene. This way, people are getting confident in how to navigate the digital world safely What are some of the emerging threats or pressing challenges to Internet freedom in Africa, and how can we stay ahead of them? With the increase in Internet Freedom in Africa, several challenges have emerged. Three of them come to mind: Concerns about digital privacy have grown in tandem with rising Internet usage. Data protection and surveillance issues have gained attention, sparking debate over the need for stricter privacy rules. Fake news and misinformation erode public trust and, in some instances, instigate violence. The danger also lies in where naive citizens who have no fact-checking skills tend to believe and trust in the fake news, and when they find out the truth, they get disappointed by the Internet for ‘lying to them’. Cybercrimes, in particular through mobile money for digitally illiterate populations are on the rise. As digital adoption grows, so does the risk of cyberattacks. The digital landscape's overall security continues to experience and be undermined by emerging threats. This is especially worrying considering that there are more young users (school children), older populations, and non-ICT users utilizing the Internet on a daily basis. When it comes to staying ahead of some of these challenges, there is a need to promote media literacy and critical thinking, as well as assist fact-checking organisations, to aid in the fight against the dissemination of misleading information. Additionally, building solid cybersecurity frameworks, educating people about online security, and encouraging collaboration among governments, the commercial sector, and civil society can all help to improve the digital landscape. A CIPESA Series 25