Change Makers We are at the risk of letting governments do it but when they do it, they censor and block platforms and the Internet and do whatever they can to stop the conversation about what's going on in their countries from happening. So, having strong civil society networks and infrastructure in Africa that are well-equipped with the knowledge to discuss the challenges related to content governance is of the utmost urgency. Equipping means understanding the concepts, of what trust and safety is in Africa, and how content moderation works, among others. One other way to address this, which is something that I'm particularly working on at Internet Without Borders, is how to bridge the knowledge gap. The gap in trust and safety on the African continent. Not many of us are aware of the complexities of what trust and safety entails. So, one of my endeavours with Internet Without Borders, while being based here in the United States, is to make sure that we can bridge that knowledge gap by putting more civil society actors from Africa based in Africa in conversation with people in the United States and specifically in the Silicon Valley. We have to understand that there is a kind of shift and be aware of the power dynamics in Silicon Valley. Our aim is to make sure more organizations can come here and meet the companies that are part of the power dynamics and also meet government officials who now have representatives in Silicon Valley, e.g., the Danish Tech Ambassador, the EU Tech envoy, etc. 1 30 How can we build trust, promote partnership, and enhance regional collaboration among different African stakeholders in the Internet governance ecosystem, including governments, inter-governmental bodies, civil society, industry, media, and academia? I think that comes from acknowledging our limitations. The first thing that governments in Africa need to acknowledge is that they don't know anything about technology. I think it must be said, very clearly. They have zero clue about technology, and I say this really with confidence because it's based on knowledge. I'm sure some would not disagree with this assessment. There is a lack of knowledge about how technology works, and the Internet shutdown trend is exactly proof of that e.g. Gabon is a very good example. Former President Ali Bongo who led a government that shut down the Internet was the one now asking for help from the international community using the Internet, to address the coup that was ongoing.1 We also have to acknowledge our limitations. As a civil society actor, I'm not always aware and abreast of the safety challenges that our countries are facing. It's true, and I have to acknowledge that. I also have to acknowledge as a civil society actor that there is bad content and there are bad actors everywhere - in governments and also in private entities. Also, private companies need to acknowledge that they don't know Africa. Africa is a very complex continent, with a very complex history and with very complex dynamics. There is no way you can understand that while sitting in Silicon Valley. Gabon’s Ali Bongo Ondimba Calls 'on the World to Make Noise' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJyiz7nz6H4 A CIPESA Series