As internet access surges across the continent, rights advocates warn that laws meant to combat cybercrime are increasingly being used to police political speech, raising fresh questions over where Africa should draw the line between security and freedom of expression.
Speaking on the August episode of Africanews Debates, Julie Owono, Executive Director of Internet Sans Frontières and a member of Meta's Oversight Board, said legislation introduced to combat cybercrime and strengthen national security is increasingly being used to prosecute online expression.
"Africa has almost 650 million internet users today, compared with about 450 million ten years ago," Owono said. "The same laws that are allegedly adopted to protect us are now being used, unfortunately, to criminalise our expression online as citizens, and to arrest us."
She argued that as more Africans turn to digital platforms to discuss politics, hold leaders accountable and participate in public debate, governments have responded with broader legal powers to monitor and restrict online activity.
Cybercrime laws under scrutiny
