3RD MARCH 2026
The Director of RightsCon, Nikki Gladstone, accompanied by key stakeholders, paid a courtesy call on the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Technology and Science, Eng. Dr. Brilliant Habeenzu, to discuss preparations for RightsCon Zambia 2026.
RightsCon, to be convened by Access Now, is the world’s leading summit on human rights in the digital age. The 2026 edition is expected to attract approximately 3,000 participants from 150 countries and will feature over 500 sessions. The event brings together a broad range of stakeholders, including governments, the private sector, civil society, media, international institutions, and philanthropic organisations.
The conference will take place from 5th to 8th May 2026 at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka, Zambia.
The Ministry of Technology and Science is the primary Government partner for RightsCon 2026, while Bloggers of Zambia will serve as the primary civil society partner
Speaking during the meeting, Permanent Secretary Eng. Dr. Brilliant Habeenzu welcomed the hosting of RightsCon in Zambia, emphasizing its alignment with Zambia’s national development agenda.
He noted that the Eighth National Development Plan highlights economic transformation and job creation as a key pillar, driven by sectors such as tourism, manufacturing, mining, and agriculture. Conferences of this magnitude, he observed, significantly contribute to the tourism sector and enhance Zambia’s international visibility.
The Permanent Secretary further highlighted Government efforts to improve the ease of travel and encourage international conferences, including the removal of certain visa barriers to promote tourism and business engagement.
Eng. Dr. Habeenzu underscored the importance of creating a secure and enabling digital environment. He referenced Zambia’s cybersecurity reforms, which were introduced to enhance trust, reduce cyber fraud, and protect users in the digital space.
He reported significant progress in Zambia’s cybersecurity standing, noting an improvement in the country’s cybersecurity index from 68.8% to 92.6%. This progress has helped build public confidence in digital platforms, particularly in mobile money services.
The number of mobile money agents increased substantially from approximately 133,000 to over 550,000 reflecting growth in digital trade and employment opportunities. Revenue in the sector also saw significant expansion, rising from approximately ZMW 540 million to about ZMW 11.6 billion in 2024. Additionally, the ICT sector contributed 1.8 percentage points out of the country’s 4% economic growth, marking it as one of the leading drivers of economic resilience, even during periods of drought and power shortages.
The Permanent Secretary emphasized the need to balance freedom of expression with responsible digital conduct. He reiterated that digital rights must be exercised without infringing on the rights of others, stressing that where one person’s rights begin, another’s must end.
He expressed optimism that RightsCon 2026 would provide a platform for constructive dialogue on digital rights, responsible online engagement, and the role of technology in fostering inclusive economic growth. He further highlighted the importance of preventing misuse of digital platforms that could fuel misinformation, division, or instability.
Nikki Gladstone outlined the ongoing preparations for the conference, including venue walkthroughs and coordination meetings with various government ministries. A comprehensive government briefing is scheduled to align ministries on logistics, transportation, health services, and overall event readiness.
She also noted planned engagements with embassies, the UN House, and various UN agencies, as well as meetings with telecommunications companies and other private sector stakeholders. The aim is to ensure strong Zambian representation and cross-sector collaboration at the conference.
RightsCon 2026 presents a significant opportunity for Zambia to showcase its progress in digital transformation, cybersecurity, and inclusive development, while positioning itself as a regional leader in digital rights and innovation.
The Government of Zambia and RightsCon organisers reaffirmed their commitment to working collaboratively to ensure the successful hosting of RightsCon 2026. The conference is expected not only to strengthen global dialogue on digital rights but also to contribute meaningfully to Zambia’s economic growth, tourism development, and digital inclusion agenda.
