Paradigm Initiative (PIN) has officially opened registration for the 2026 Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum (DRIF26), scheduled to take place at the Radisson Blu Abidjan Airport Hotel, Côte d’Ivoire, from April 14 to April 16, 2026.
The forum, which has evolved into a premier global gathering for digital policy and human rights, marks a significant milestone this year as it makes its debut in a Francophone country.
The move underscores PIN’s commitment to regional integration and language inclusivity within the African digital ecosystem.
Thematic Focus: Resilience in a Shrinking Civic Space
This year’s theme, Building Inclusive and Resilient Digital Futures, addresses a cocktail of pressing challenges across the Global South, including uneven internet access, rising surveillance, and the shrinking of civic space.
The forum will dive into several critical thematic tracks:
- AI & Emerging Technologies: Assessing the impact of automation on rights.
- Data Protection & Privacy: Strengthening cybersecurity frameworks.
- Digital Inclusion: Bridging the gap for marginalized groups.
- Trust & Accountability: Holding technology companies and governments accountable.
Surge in Stakeholder Interest
The 2026 edition has seen a notable spike in engagement. PIN reported receiving 449 session proposals, a 29.7% increase from the 346 proposals submitted for the 2025 edition.
These sessions will range from technical demos and product launches to high-level policy panels.
Applicants can expect feedback on their session status by February 28, 2026.
A Decade of Growth: From IFF to DRIF
Originally launched in 2013 as the Internet Freedom Forum (IFF) with just 53 delegates in Nigeria, the event has grown exponentially.
Since rebranding in 2019 to incorporate “Digital Inclusion,” the forum has hosted nearly 3,000 delegates from over 70 countries.
DRIF26 follows a successful run of host cities, including:
- 2025: Lusaka, Zambia
- 2024: Accra, Ghana
- 2023: Nairobi, Kenya
Strategic Partnerships
The 2026 forum is a collaborative effort between PIN and the Coalition Ivoirienne des Défenseurs des Droits Humains (CIDDH).
The event is backed by a powerhouse of global funders, including the Ford Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, IDRC, Wikimedia, and the Wellspring Philanthropic Fund.
The DRIF26 shift to Abidjan is a strategic play by Paradigm Initiative to bridge the digital rights advocacy gap between Anglophone and Francophone Africa.
As digital expansion accelerates across the continent, the rise in session proposals suggests that stakeholders are increasingly looking for collaborative frameworks to tackle digital authoritarianism and ensure that the Digital Ubuntu spirit translates into policy and profitable, inclusive infrastructure.
Registration link is HERE.
