Paradigm initiative’s DRIBLE tour educates Namibian students on digital safety, inclusion

Dozens of young people in Windhoek have been equipped with practical knowledge on digital safety and inclusion following the launch of the Digital Rights and Inclusion Board Learning Experience (DRIBLE), a gamified learning initiative by Paradigm Initiative (PIN).

The event, held on February 23, 2026, marked the latest stop in PIN’s African tour aimed at promoting digital rights awareness among students and youth. DRIBLE uses a custom-designed board game to introduce participants to key issues surrounding digital rights, online safety and inclusion in an engaging and accessible format.

Developed with support from the Open Society Foundations, the initiative is designed to simplify complex digital rights conversations while encouraging young people to think critically about their role in shaping Africa’s digital future.

The Namibia activation follows successful pilot editions at the University of Lagos in Nigeria; the Dakar American University of Science and Technology (DAUST) in Senegal; the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) in Kenya; and the University of Zambia in Lusaka.

Speaking at the event, PIN’s Executive Director, Gbenga Sesan, highlighted the transformative potential of DRIBLE and urged students to invest in relevant digital skills.

“You are digital natives. So the question for you is, ‘what are the skills I need to pick up and invest in now?’ You must build the relevant skills that will make you stand out,” Sesan said.

He noted that the organisation aims to reach 20 million people through its digital inclusion and digital rights interventions across Africa.

In her welcome address, Nashilongo Gervasius Nakale of NamTshuwe Digital Hub, the local partner for the event, encouraged participants to maximise the opportunity to deepen their understanding of digital rights and inclusion. She urged them to look beyond the functional use of technology and appreciate its broader societal implications, especially as many aspire to careers in the technology sector.

Delivering the keynote address, Mr. Edward Nepolo, Head of the Department of Computer Science at the National University of Science and Technology, challenged African youth to move beyond being passive consumers of technology.

“Africa is not a promise for the future anymore; it is a force to be reckoned with now. We should not be comfortable being consumers of technology; we should take our space and play our part in the development and shaping of technology,” he said.

Founded in 2007 in Lagos, Paradigm Initiative has since expanded its operations to six African countries – Cameroon, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, Zambia and Zimbabwe – impacting more than 150,000 young Africans through its programmes.

DRIBLE complements PIN’s broader digital rights initiatives, including Ripoti, a digital rights reporting platform, and Ayeta, a digital security toolkit designed for activists and vulnerable groups.

Organisers described the Namibia launch as a significant milestone in PIN’s mission to empower African youth with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the digital space safely and ensure that their voices and rights remain central to the continent’s rapidly evolving digital landscape.