Digital security expert Andrew Gole has arrived in Nairobi as part of his 13,000-kilometer motorbike journey across 10 African countries, a campaign dubbed #RoadToDigitalSafety. The initiative is designed to raise awareness on digital rights, internet freedom, and cybersecurity ahead of the 12th edition of the Forum on Internet Freedom in Africa (FIFAfrica25), set to take place in Windhoek, Namibia from September 24–26, 2025.
Gole, who leads the Kampala-based Dix Initiative, is conducting on-the-ground digital security audits, device checkups, and software licensing support for grassroots organizations along his route.
“Instead of just riding without a purpose, this ride actually has a purpose—to sensitise different organizations,” said Gole. “We provide genuine productivity software, conduct device health checks, and offer basic security audits to help improve safety and resilience.”
The Nairobi stop was hosted by the Tatua Digital Resilience Center and KICTANet, both of which are actively engaged in strengthening digital security for civil society and human rights defenders across East Africa.
“We support social justice organizations with their security needs—protecting financial and IT assets from external threats,” said Mwendwa Kivuva of KICTANet. “Our collaboration with Andrew and other partners helps us reach more communities and reinforce the message of internet freedom and digital safety.”
Tatua’s work complements the broader goals of FIFAfrica25, which serves as the continent’s leading multi-stakeholder platform for shaping digital governance. The Forum brings together policymakers, journalists, regulators, platform operators, and civil society to craft rights-based responses for a resilient digital ecosystem. This year’s host, Namibia, is recognized for its strong democratic credentials and progressive stance on digital transformation.
Gole’s journey—supported by CIPESA, Defend Defenders, and Access Now—is part of a growing movement to decentralize digital safety efforts and equip communities with practical tools. His previous rides in 2022 and 2023 covered Lusaka and Dar es Salaam respectively, and this year’s route includes stops in Nairobi, Dodoma, Lilongwe, Harare, Gaborone, and Windhoek, with a return leg through Zambia and Rwanda.
“Digital security is everyone’s responsibility,” Gole emphasized. “Most organizations we support don’t even have an IT person. We’re here to fill that gap and empower them to protect their work.”