About Us

Defending digital freedom across Africa

Open Privacy Africa is a leading pan-African organization advancing digital rights and privacy through research, education, investigations, policy advocacy, and support for journalists, civil society, and ethical businesses. We operate at the intersection of technology, human rights, and public-interest innovation.

See Our Work
Open Privacy Africa team in a strategy meeting

Our Mission

To protect and advance digital rights and online privacy across Africa by empowering communities, supporting independent journalism and civil society, developing open and ethical technology, and advocating for a free, secure, and open internet.

Our Vision

A future where privacy is the default, digital freedom is protected, and technology serves people — not power. We envision an Africa where every individual can participate in the digital world safely, freely, and with dignity.

What Guides Us

Our Core Values

Privacy as a Human Right

We believe every person has the fundamental right to privacy in the digital age, regardless of where they live.

Transparency & Accountability

We hold powerful actors accountable and practice what we preach — operating with full transparency in our own work.

Open-Source & Public-Interest Tech

We build and support technology that serves the public interest, and we share our tools and methods openly.

Security by Design

We integrate security into every project from the start, never as an afterthought.

Free Expression & Access to Information

We defend the rights of individuals to express themselves freely and access information without censorship.

Youth Leadership & Innovation

We invest in the next generation of African technologists and digital rights defenders.

Independence & Integrity

We operate independently of any government or corporate influence, guided only by our mission and values.

Our Journey

Key Milestones

2017

Founded in Nairobi, Kenya with a focus on digital privacy education

2018

Published first pan-African data protection landscape report

2019

Launched digital security rapid response program for journalists

2020

Expanded to 12 countries with dedicated regional coordinators

2021

Released open-source privacy tools used by 50,000+ people

2022

Contributed to landmark AU data protection framework

2023

Established Youth Innovation Lab in four African cities

2024

Reached 28 countries with 15,000+ community members

Our Commitment

Transparency & Independence

As an independent nonprofit, Open Privacy Africa does not accept funding from governments or corporations that could compromise our mission. We publish annual reports, disclose our funding sources, and submit to independent audits. Our commitment to transparency is not just a policy — it is a reflection of the values we defend.

View Our Funding Transparency