Call for Sessions, Speakers, Partners, and Sponsors
Join us in shaping the future of digital sovereignty in Africa! The Shoko Festival Hub Unconference 2025 is excited to announce its theme: “Decolonize the Internet.” As Africa continues to forge its digital identity, we recognize the critical importance of challenging colonial legacies embedded in internet infrastructure, biased AI, foreign fake news, data governance, and digital narratives. We invite visionary thought leaders, innovators, and changemakers from across Africa and its diaspora to contribute to this transformative conversation.
Call for Sessions & Speakers
Are you passionate about digital rights, open data, civic tech, or internet sovereignty? Do you have innovative ideas or impactful projects that promote African-led digital spaces? We want to hear from you! We are seeking proposals for:
- Panel discussions on digital sovereignty, data colonialism, and local internet governance
- Visual story tellers using on the cutting edge of digital media
- Lightning talks showcasing innovative civic tech and open data initiatives
- Masterclasses on digital skills, advocacy, and human rights in the digital space
- Fireside chats with industry leaders, activists, and pioneers leading decolonization efforts.
- Open Data initiatives, Civic Tech startups & Artificial intelligence, augmented reality & creative approaches to african challenges
- Demonstrations, installations and exhibitions showcasing creative & digital initiatives.
Who can apply?
Organizers, experts, digital media professionals, civic tech startups, activists, and innovators from all over Africa are encouraged to pitch ideas proposals.
Submission guidelines
- Relevance to the theme: Decolonize The Internet
- Focus on African contexts, challenges, and solutions Clear, engaging, and innovative content.
- Deadline for submissions is June 30, 2025
Event Dates:
September 24 and 25, 2025
Location: Harare, Zimbabwe, at the Hub Unconference @ Shoko Festival.
Partner & Collaboration Opportunities
We are eager to collaborate with organizations, startups, universities, and community groups all across Africa committed to building an open, inclusive, and African led internet.
Opportunities include
- Co-hosting sessions or workshops
- Supporting digital literacy and advocacy initiatives
- Providing resources or platforms for youth engagement
- Facilitating community outreach and capacity building
Sponsorship Opportunities
Support Open Data Africa Summit 2025 and align your brand with the movement to decolonize the internet. Your sponsorship will help us deliver a high impact event, empower young Africans, and foster innovative solutions. Benefits of sponsorship:
- Visibility among over +400 young people, opinion leaders, content creators, activists, and media startups between the ages of 18 – 35 years
- Opportunities to showcase your initiatives and solutions
- Engagement in critical conversations on digital sovereignty
- Recognition across event promotions, social media, and official materials.
Let’s work together to decolonize the internet, bridging digital divides, empowering local voices, and shaping an Africa-led digital future. Submit your session proposals, join as a partner, or sponsor Open Data Africa Summit 2025 today! Together, we can redefine Africa’s digital landscape!
Submissions and inquiries should be sent to campaigns@magambanetwork.com or gracious@magambanetwork.com
