THE opening two days of the Shoko Festival will be marked by the 11th Edition of the Hub UnConference 2025, which will run under the theme Decolonize the Internet on September 24-25 at Harare Gardens and entry is free.
According to Shoko Festival liaison Kudzayi Zvinavashe, the two day gathering will tackle urgent questions around data ownership, algorithm bias, digital storytelling, and Africa’s role in shaping global internet governance.
Takura Zhangazha, from Magamba Network and Shoko Festival, will set the tone with his opening remarks at the Hub UnConference.
“This year’s gathering brings together 30+ speakers from seven African countries to tackle urgent questions around data ownership, AI bias, and Africa's role in shaping global internet governance,” Zvinavashe briefed.
“Our diverse line-up includes activists, journalists, techies and creatives who are driving Africa’s digital transformation.”
He added that this year’s theme Decolonize the Internet is a clarion call to action to fellow Africans to rid the internet of its Western biases and build alternative digital spaces in an era where rapidly advancing artificial intelligence (AI) seems to be profitable for Big Tech, but is causing massive disruption for humanity and for the environment.
The exciting list of local and international voices includes Goitse Kwada (Botswana), Martial Panucci (Burkina Faso), Antonio Kisemboi (Uganda), Kikaawa Nantume (Uganda), Willson Chivhanga (Malawi), Dean Bhebhe (South Africa), Mufasa Poet (Kenya), Justine Wanda (Kenya), King Kandoro (Zimbabwe), ProBeatz (Zimbabwe) and Takura Zhangazha (Zimbabwe).
Together, they join a vibrant line-up of academics, activists, techies, journalists, artists and creators shaping Africa’s creative and digital future.
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Said Takudzwa Musakasa, the Hub Unconference co-ordinator: “We’re thrilled to host the 11th Hub UnConference at Harare Gardens as a free event using talks and edutainment to tackle pressing global issues.
“This year’s theme, Decolonize the Internet, challenges colonial legacies embedded in internet infrastructure, biased AI and foreign misinformation while calling on Africans to reclaim our digital narratives.”
The Hub UnConference comprehensive programme features fireside chats, lightning talks, skill-share sessions, debates, live podcast recordings and interactive showcases, all exploring data sovereignty, AI in journalism, digital storytelling and civic technology for youth participation.
This dynamic format encourages collaboration and knowledge exchange among some of Africa’s most innovative digital minds.
As part of the Hub UnConference, the Open Data Africa Summit brings together bloggers, academics, activists and developers from Zimbabwe, Uganda, Kenya, South Africa, Botswana, Malawi and Burkina Faso.
The summit explores how African nations can reclaim ownership of their data and harness it for transparency, advocacy, and innovation, with panels including “Africa’s Data Goldmine: Who Profits, Who Loses?” and discussions on integrating AI into educational curricula.
“One of our visions has been to use the Hub Unconference to create a space where all Zimbabwean media & tech colleges and universities can connect, collaborate, and give birth to new ideas to drive forward Africa’s alternative digital & media sectors — and we are getting there,” Musakasa added.
The Hub UnConference is a free entry event with only the requirement to RSVP to inform logistics planning by organisers.
The Hub UnConference is proud to partner with CHARM Africa, a consortium dedicated to protecting human rights, civic freedoms and media development in Africa.
The consortium is made up of Wits Journalism, Réseau des Femmes Leaders pour le Development (RFLD), Defend Defenders, Civil Rights Defenders, Civicus, Fojo Media Institute and Magamba Network.
Previous Hub UnConference editions have featured prominent local and international speakers, including Alice McCool (The Guardian UK), Robyn Kriel (CNN), and Raheela Mohammed (Al Jazeera), among others.
