The Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria, cordially invites you to the official launch of the Access to Information in Africa Newsletter. This special publication features articles presented during the 2023 seminar marking the 10th anniversary of the Model Law on Access to Information in Africa, complimented by additional contributions from researchers across the continent. Although two years have passed since the anniversary, the Model Law continues to be a significant influence in shaping national access to information frameworks and implementation efforts across the continent. This virtual launch not only marks the public release of the newsletter but also offers an opportunity to reflect on the evolving access to information landscape in Africa, celebrating progress, examining ongoing challenges, and identifying priorities for future action.
Event details
Date: 28 May 2025
Time: 10:00–12:00 SAST
Platform: Zoom
The launch event offers a platform to:
- Reflect on the progress made and challenges in advancing access to information across Africa.
- Assess the legacy of the Model Law and its influence on national frameworks.
- Share insights from oversight institutions tasked with enforcing access to information legislation; and
- Engage with researchers and experts working at the forefront of the access to information discourse.
Programme highlights
Keynote address
Commissioner Ourveena Geereesha Topsy-Sonoo,
Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa
Topic: Twenty Years of the Special Rapporteur Mechanism: Reflections on advancing freedom of expression and access to information in Africa
Panel discussion
- Moderator: Ivy Gikonyo, Project Officer, Expression, Information and Digital Rights Unit, Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria
- Welcome Remarks, Lloyd Kuveya, Assistant Director, Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria
- Hlengiwe Dube, Manager: Expression, Information and Digital Rights Unit, Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria
Topic: Overview of the access to information landscape in Africa
- Information Commission Representative (TBA)
Topic: Reflections from oversight institutions on ATI implementation
- Dunia P. Zongwe, Associate Professor, Alliance School of Law, India; and Adjunct Associate Professor, Walter Sisulu University, South Africa
Topic: Testing the Waters of Transparency: The impact of Namibia’s Access to Information Act on constitutionalism
- Yeabsira Teferi, Lecturer of Law, Dilla University
Topic: Ethiopia’s Adherence with the Guidelines on Access to Information and Elections in Africa: A spotlight on the 2021 National Election and lessons for the upcoming 2026 election
- Wendy Ashikomela Ashilenje, Advocate of the High Court of Kenya
Topic: Technology and Access to Information: Effect of Search Algorithms on Access to Information
- Reda Benkhadra, Human rights researcher
Topic: A Decade of Constitutionalised Right to Access Information in Morocco: Reflections on the Progress and Challenges
- Nomyezo Mqhele, Multi-disciplinary human rights lawyer
Topic: Misinformation and disinformation in the digital age and its impact on the information ecosystem: \
This webinar is open to academics, civil society actors, policymakers, journalists, information commissioners, and the broader public. We invite you to be part of this timely conversation as we examine the milestones achieved, confront the challenges that remain, and chart the future of the access to information landscape across the continent.
For more information, please contact:
Tel: +27 (0) 713362225
henok.kremte@up.ac.za
Tel: +27 (0) 12 420 4199
Hlengiwe.Dube@up.ac.za
