Digital Fluency Today

    Digital Colonialism Isn’t a Metaphor: It’s Code, Contracts, and Cloud Storage There was a time when "digital colonialism" felt like a buzzword. Too abstract. Too activist. Something you would hear in a Twitter thread or at a development conference panel no one remembered the next day. But it’s 2025, and we need to stop pretending this is theory. It’s not. It’s code. It’s contracts. It’s cloud storage. And it’s happening right now across the African continent. Just to break it down. The Cloud Is not Ours When governments in Africa digitise their systems; tax records, voter data, ID databases, school systems, they often don’t host the infrastructure locally. Instead, they turn to the usual suspects: Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Huawei Cloud. And in doing so, they offload national data; often sensitive, often irreplaceable, into someone else’s machine. Take Rwanda. Its impressive e-governance systems rely heavily on foreign-hosted platforms. South...

  How AI-Powered Chips Will Rewrite Travel. Let me paint you a picture. You are at the airport, running late for your flight. The security line snakes endlessly ahead of you, and you are mentally calculating how many minutes you have to sprint to your gate. But then, something extraordinary happens. You walk up to a scanner, wave your hand, and, just like that, you are through. No boarding pass, no passport, no frantic fumbling for documents. Just you, a tiny chip embedded in your hand, and a seamless journey ahead. Sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie, does not it? But here’s the thing: this future is not as far off as you might think. Thanks to the marriage of artificial intelligence (AI) and biometric chips, the way we travel, trade, and even pay for our morning coffee is undergoing a radical transformation. And while it is equal parts exciting and unsettling, one thing is for sure: it is a conversation worth having.  The Chip in Your Hand: A Pocket-Sized Revolution ...

  Internet Fragmentation in the Age of AI: The Digital Walls Are Closing In Once upon a time, the internet was supposed to be this great, borderless utopia, one seamless network where ideas, commerce, and cat videos could flow freely. A great equaliser. A force for democracy. Now? It is starting to look more like a patchwork of walled gardens, each with its own set of rules, restrictions, and, increasingly, its own AI overlords. The internet has been fragmenting for years, through data localisation laws, geopolitical tensions, and corporate silos. But artificial intelligence is supercharging the process. AI is not just shaping the internet we use, it is dictating who gets to use it, how it is used, and what information flows where. Take China’s Great Firewall. It is not just about blocking certain websites anymore; it is about training AI models on government-approved data and censoring speech in real time. Europe, on the other hand, is leaning into regulation, forcing AI compan...

  What Kirsty Coventry’s Election Means for Young Women in Zimbabwe Kirsty Coventry’s election to Zimbabwe’s political arena is more than just a personal achievement for the Olympic champion. It represents a significant shift in a nation historically grappling with systemic inequality, particularly for women. And for young women across Zimbabwe, it could mark the beginning of an era where the barriers that have long restricted their dreams and potential might finally start to crumble. In a country where women have fought tirelessly for representation and equal opportunities, Coventry’s rise is a symbol of possibility. But it is not just about breaking the glass ceiling; it is about shattering long-held assumptions about what leadership looks like and who gets to hold the power. Why This Matters Zimbabwe, like many African nations, has witnessed progress in the last few decades, but entrenched patriarchal structures still dominate political, social, and economic landscapes. With you...

  Unfragment the Internet: Why We Must Act Now The internet was once envisioned as a borderless space, a global network that connects people, ideas, and opportunities across geographies and cultures. This vision was built on principles of openness, accessibility, and interoperability. Yet, over time, this ideal has been challenged by a phenomenon known as internet fragmentation. The dream of a unified internet is now under threat, and the consequences are dire for societies, economies, and human rights. This blog is inspired by my recently completed Master’s dissertation, which explored The Role of the Internet Society in Combating Internet Fragmentation as a Framework of Global Internet Governance. Through that work, I was exposed to the complex layers of this issue and the urgent need for collective action. Today, I want to share why we must unfragment the internet and what it means for all of us. What is Internet Fragmentation? In simple terms, internet fragmentation refers to t...

The Future of AI in Africa   The future of AI in Africa is a topic that I find both exciting and essential to discuss. As someone who has closely followed the evolution of technology on the continent, I see AI as a game-changer that can address some of Africa's most pressing challenges while unlocking new opportunities. One of the first areas where AI can make a significant impact is agriculture. Agriculture is a cornerstone of many African economies, and AI has the potential to revolutionise it. Imagine farmers using AI-powered apps to predict weather patterns, optimise planting schedules, and monitor crop health. These tools can increase yields, reduce losses, and ultimately improve food security. In some regions, AI is already being used to predict pest outbreaks, which allows farmers to take preventive measures before crops are damaged. This kind of proactive approach can make a huge difference in livelihoods and economies. Healthcare is another sector where AI's impact cou...

 5 Things that have evolved about the internet Reflecting on the evolution of the internet, I can't help but marvel at how much has changed. It’s like looking at an old friend who has grown and adapted in ways I never imagined. Here are five things that stand out to me as the most significant transformations in the internet’s journey. First, the shift from static web pages to dynamic content has been revolutionary. I remember the early days of the internet when websites were essentially digital brochures. They provided information, but the interaction was minimal. Fast forward to today, and we have dynamic websites and applications that respond to user input in real time. Social media platforms are a prime example. They’ve transformed how we communicate, share, and consume information. This evolution has made the internet a living, breathing entity that adapts to our needs and preferences. Second, the rise of mobile internet has been a game changer. When the internet first became p...

  The Gender Gap in Digital Climate Action As I delve deeper into the intersection of gender and digital climate action, I'm struck by the glaring disparities that persist. It's clear that while the digital age has opened up new avenues for addressing climate change, it has also exposed and, in some cases, exacerbated existing gender inequalities. From my readings and observations, this gender gap in digital climate action is not just a peripheral issue; it’s central to achieving sustainable and inclusive climate solutions. One of the first things I noticed is that women, particularly in developing countries, are significantly underrepresented in the tech sector. This underrepresentation extends to digital climate initiatives. When we think about digital climate action, we imagine cutting-edge technology, data analytics, and innovative solutions to mitigate climate change. However, if the voices behind these innovations are predominantly male, we’re missing out on half the worl...

  The Unlikely Alliance: Climate Change and Our Digital Rights Here in Africa, we know a thing or two about resilience. We've weathered droughts, floods, and social upheaval for generations. But the looming threat of climate change throws a whole new curveball. It disrupts our lives, strains our resources, and forces us to adapt in ways we never imagined. Interestingly, in this fight for survival, an unexpected ally has emerged: the digital world. Yes, the very internet that swallows our attention and bombards us with cat videos can be a powerful tool in the fight against climate change. Think about it. Imagine smallholder farmers in Kenya using weather prediction apps on their phones to plan their planting seasons in the face of erratic rainfall. Or picture community leaders in Nigeria sharing vital information about floods and mudslides through social media, mobilizing emergency response long before disaster strikes. Here's the rub: this digital revolution for climate action ...

Fair Trade a Myth? Unmasking the International Division of Labor  The global economy is a complex web of interconnectedness, with countries specialising in what they do best. This intricate system, known as the international division of labour (IDL), shapes trade patterns, development trajectories, and global power dynamics. Marxian analysis, with its focus on class struggle and unequal exchange, has long been a prominent tool for dissecting the IDL. Marx and the Power Disparity: A Valuable Lens Marxian scholars like Karl Marx identified inherent imbalances within the IDL, highlighting how core countries exploit cheaper labour in peripheral nations. This core-periphery model offers valuable insights into unequal exchange and uneven development, exposing the stark power dynamics at play. Take for example, the garment industry, where brands from developed countries source production from factories in developing nations. While these nations might benefit from job creation, conce...

  The Platform Paradox: Regulation vs. Accountability in the Wild West Web Remember the chaotic early days of lockdown? Remember scrambling for reliable Wi-Fi, desperately clinging to video calls, and feeling lost in a digital whirlwind? The pandemic served as a stark reminder: 1) good Wi-Fi ain't a luxury, it's a lifeline. 2) That ancient webcam gathering dust? Suddenly it's your social superpower. And most importantly, 3) navigating this brave new digital world requires both confidence and skill. We've sung the praises of technology's role in the pandemic (and rightfully so!). It kept us informed, connected, and even entertained. But let's be honest, it also pushed us to the brink. Anxiety, confusion, and the constant digital hum – who has not been there? Now, as we emerge from the chaos, it's time to reflect. Let's talk about the lessons learned, the challenges faced, and how we can build a healthier, more balanced relationship with the digital world....