PIN’s 2024 Drill Fellowship: Fellows from seven countries selected to drive digital rights,  inclusion across Africa, India

Stanley Ihedigbo

Paradigm Initiative (PIN), a leading pan-African organization championing digital rights and inclusion, has announced the selection of seven finalists from across Africa and India for the 2024 Digital Rights and Inclusion Learning Lab (DRILL) Fellowship.

Chosen from a highly competitive pool of 1,490 applicants, this year’s cohort will play a pivotal role in advancing digital rights in their respective countries, including Tunisia, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Burundi, Uganda, Namibia, and India.

The four-month fellowship which will run from October 2024 to January 2025 is designed to deepen fellows’ engagement with pressing digital rights and inclusion issues.

The selected fellows for the 2024 edition of the fellowship are;  a Data Activist and Research Enthusiast from Tunisia, Sarra Hannachi; Avit Ndayiziga, a Journalist and Internet Advocates from Burundi, Avit Ndayiziga;   a Human Rights Analyst from Namibia, Jessica M Uiras;  a Visionary Leader and Lawyer from Nigeria, Shorefunmi Bola-saliu, Founder and Creative Director of Diversity Innovations Initiative (DIV) in Uganda, Akoli Joseph; a Pan African Feminist from Ethiopia, Selamawit Tezera Chaka and a Lawyer and Policy Researcher from India, Sapni GK.

Their diverse backgrounds, spanning journalism, law, human rights, and technology advocacy, position them to drive transformative initiatives in their home nations.

“We extend our appreciation to everyone who applied for the 2024 Digital Rights and Inclusion Learning Lab (DRILL) Fellowship. We received a total of 1,490 applications and after a thorough and competitive selection process, our Fellowship Advisory Committee selected seven exceptional fellows from Tunisia, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Burundi, India, Uganda and Namibia. Their commitment to advancing digital rights, along with their diverse expertise will enrich the digital rights community,” said Partnerships and Engagements Officer at Paradigm Initiative, Bridgette Ndlovu.

The fellowship will provide the selected fellows with the opportunity to engage deeply with digital rights and inclusion issues, participate in key policy discussions, and contribute to the ongoing efforts to shape a more inclusive digital future. The Digital Rights and Inclusion Learning Lab reflects PIN’s commitment to ensuring that digital rights are protected and inclusion is prioritised in the Global South. It aims to equip early to mid-career professionals with practical skills, fostering collaboration within the global digital rights community.