This year’s Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum (DRIF26), a three-day annual convening hosted by Paradigm Initiative (PIN), will take place at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, from April 14 to 16, under the theme: “Building Inclusive and Resilient Digital Futures”.
Now in its 13th year, the Forum provides a platform for stakeholders, innovators, policymakers, government representatives, legislators, civil society, non-governmental organisations, academia, the technical community, the media and the private sector to exchange ideas, showcase impactful solutions and drive meaningful change and progress in digital rights and inclusion.
Under the broad theme of “Building Inclusive and Resilient Digital Futures” the DRIF 2026 sub-themes are; Digital Security, Trust and Accountability, Data protection, Privacy and Cyber Security, Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies, Digital Inclusion and Marginalised Groups, Human Rights and Freedoms and Digital and Internet Governance.
Every year since 2013, Paradigm Initiative has worked in collaboration with partners to bring together representatives from government, non-governmental organisations, academia, media, funding partners, the United Nations, the technical community, and the private sector within the digital ecosystem.
The event seeks to foster collaboration across sectors, encouraging input from relevant stakeholders.
Formerly known as the Internet Freedom Forum (IFF), twelve editions of the Forum have been held since 2013, with the 2026 event being the 13th Edition.
In 2025, DRIF was held in Lusaka, Zambia, attracting 1399 registered attendees and 623 in-person attendees from 65 countries while the 2024 DRIF was held in Accra, Ghana, attracting 1,044 registered attendees and delegates from 61 countries across the world.
In 2023, DRIF, which was held in Nairobi, Kenya, was attended by 601 participants drawn from 54 countries across the world.
According to PIN, “DRIF has grown significantly over the years, evolving into a premier platform for dialogue on digital policy, rights, and inclusion, accommodating views and opinions from civil society, technology companies, government, academia, and other stakeholders.”
