Logistics
Date & Time: Wednesday March 19, 2026 | 2:00 PM – 3:15 PM CET / 4:00 PM – 5:15PM EAT
Online Platform: Zoom (will be shared with registered participants 1 hour before the meeting starts)
Livestream Link: https://www.youtube.com/live/hkV8d8y83lk
Background
Across Africa, civic movements and digital activism are redefining democratic participation amid accelerating authoritarian consolidation. Recent unconstitutional changes of government, protest waves, and grassroots mobilizations reveal both the power and fragility of digitally enabled political participation. Youth-led movements are increasingly leveraging online tools for organizing, advocacy, and accountability, while facing threats including surveillance, disinformation, and harassment. This webinar will critically assess whether digital democracy is expanding civic agency or reproducing new forms of control.
Objectives
- Explore how digital platforms are transforming civic engagement and political mobilization in Africa.
- Interrogate the political economy of digital platforms and their influence on democratic power dynamics.
- Assess the risks and challenges associated with digital activism, including surveillance, misinformation, and targeting of activists.
- Identify operational strategies that strengthen digital resilience and mitigate risk for frontline civic actors.
- Capture lessons to inform the Africa Regional Report and contribute to the Forum’s discussions on youth agency, accountability, and governance.
Speakers / Experts Profiles
Angel Mbuthia
Director in the Kenya National Youth Council Board, and Chair the first ever COMESA Youth Advisory Panel (COMYAP)
Angel is a public policy professional and political leader with a Master’s in Research and Public Policy and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Sociology from the University of Nairobi. She is a CPA (K) finalist. She is the reigning Ms. President Kenya, an honorary title awarded to outstanding emerging women political leaders, and a Mandela Washington Fellow (2024). She currently serves as the National Chairperson of the Jubilee Party Youth League, where she leads youth political mobilization, party organizing, and leadership development. Angel has held senior youth leadership roles at national and regional levels, including serving as a Director at the Kenya National Youth Council and as Chairperson of the COMESA Youth Advisory Panel (COMYAP). She has also engaged internationally through advisory roles with global institutions, bringing comparative perspectives on governance, youth participation, and democratic processes. She is widely recognized for her work in electoral politics, youth political participation, gender inclusion, and democratic governance in Kenya, and was listed among Business Daily’s Top 40 Under 40 Women in Kenya.
Claudia Masah
COMESA, Governance, Peace and Security Junior Expert
Claudia Masah is a development professional with over five years of relevant experience across Sub-Saharan Africa, covering the whole spectrum of conflict prevention, fragility management, and peacebuilding. Ms. Masah has designed and implemented programs and developed training modules on youth, peace and security, social cohesion, PCRD, and dialogue forums. Ms. Masah has been involved in cutting-edge research whose outcomes have shaped policies and enriched academic discourse both at the national and regional levels. Her research specialties include Conflict Prevention, Resolution and Management, Governance and Development- areas of specialization on which she has peer-reviewed published works.
Daniel Orogo
Programs Director at Civic Voices Initiative Kenya
Daniel is a seasoned governance consultant and political analyst dedicated to strengthening democratic institutions and amplifying youth voices across Africa. With over a decade of experience in community organizing and policy advocacy, he bridges the gap between citizens and decision-makers. As the Africa Regional Coordinator for Democracy Moves, he leads strategies for political inclusion and governance across the continent. Simultaneously, he serves as the Programs Director at Civic Voices Initiative. In this capacity, he oversees the strategic design and implementation of civic tech programs. His work focuses on leveraging digital tools to enhance public participation, driving projects that increase transparency, and managing high-impact initiatives that connect citizens with governance structures.