Change Makers What are some of the emerging threats or pressing challenges to Internet freedom in Africa, and how can we stay ahead of them? Government censorship is a massive threat to Internet freedom. Censorship comes in many forms such as surveillance of users, Internet shutdowns, and cybersecurity laws that infringe on freedom of expression and criminalise defamation and the publication of falsehoods. Governments will defend surveillance and claim this is for public safety and security. What we must push for is a human rights-based approach to the deployment of surveillance equipment. We must advocate for transparency and accountability where surveillance is being used. We must also insist on judicial oversight. This will ensure that governments do not overstep their bounds. 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? Regional collaboration is key in any advocacy ecosystem. However, such collaborations and partnerships need to be organic and bring together people and organisations because they share a common cause and passion. There should be equality in the partnerships and members should be able to support each other. Once there is a feeling that one member is a big brother or sister, such collaborations become toxic and do not last. How can we ensure that marginalized communities, such as women, youth, people with disabilities, and marginalised groups, are included in efforts to promote Internet freedom in Africa? At the centre of what we do should be the grassroots, we should always have a bottom-up approach, where we seek to address the needs and concerns of the marginalised people. Women, people with disabilities, youth, and marginalised communities should be our guiding compasses in whatever we do. we should always have a bottom-up approach, where we seek to address the needs and concerns of the marginalised people. 38 A CIPESA Series