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From Digital Inclusion to Digital Security of Human Rights Defenders, and Democracy in the Digital Age: Bingwa Civic Tech Lab’s Committed Journey in 2024

The year 2024 was marked by significant advances in the way emerging technologies can be put to work for communities, democracy and human rights in French-speaking Africa. 
In a complex regional context - between political instabilities, digital governance challenges, and persistent inequalities in access to Information and Communication Technologies, we have chosen to remain at the forefront of social innovation.

This report gives an account not only of our concrete achievements, but also of the human impact behind each activity: a young girl discovering Python, a human rights defender better equipped for digital security, a community more connected to democratic processes.

In 2024, Bingwa Civic Tech Lab consolidated its role as a catalyst for change, putting technological innovation at the service of communities in the Democratic Republic of Congo and French-speaking Africa. 

With its inclusive, people-focused programs, the Lab worked in three strategic areas: digital inclusion for young women, digital security for human rights defenders, and democracy in the digital age.


Among the highlights of the year, the Lab celebrated Girls in ICT Day with the ITU, highlighting inspiring female career paths and training young women in Python via PyLadiesDRC.

On the human rights front, sustained efforts were made to support defenders in high-risk areas, providing them with tools, training and digital security audits.

In terms of democracy, Bingwa participated in civic innovation hackathons and conducted a critical study on Internet blackouts and their impact on elections in Africa.

Bingwa Civic Tech Lab has demonstrated that with limited resources but a clear vision, technological innovation can transform communities.

The achievements of 2024 are just a stepping stone; for 2025, we call on communities, partners and donors to join us in building a digital ecosystem that is more inclusive, more secure and truly at the service of the common good.

Over the next few years, we therefore plan to expand our programs with a human-centered approach, while soliciting partnerships to strengthen our action.

As we approach 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals, we invite our communities, partners and donors to join us in building an inclusive, secure and equitable digital ecosystem.

We hope this publication will inspire others to invest in human-centered technology solutions, and to believe, as we do, that technology can be a powerful lever for social transformation and justice.

Download the full report here (PDF):