On 11 September 2025, the Programme for Young Politicians in Africa (PYPA) hosted a regional webinar on “Politics in the Era of Digital Communication: How Youth Can Navigate Restrictive Cyber Laws for Increased Political Engagement.”

While cyber laws across Africa — such as Uganda’s Computer Misuse Act (2022) and Zambia’s Cyber Security & Cyber Crimes Act (2025) — were introduced to regulate online activity, they are increasingly being used to silence critics. Yet, for youth, digital platforms remain crucial arenas for participation, expression, and political change.

The webinar featured PYPA alumni and experts including:

  • Binuel Phale (Malawi)
  • Akufuna Simbotwe (Zambia)
  • Kintu Moses (Uganda)
  • Nyambe Jere (Digital Rights Advocacy Expert, Zambia)
  • Jimmy Kainja (Internet Governance Expert, Malawi)

Together, they discussed the challenges of restrictive cyber laws, the importance of knowing what the laws say and shared strategies for navigating risks.

The session underscored one clear message: despite shrinking online space, young leaders are finding innovative ways to strengthen their political engagement and keep their voices heard.