Minister of Technology and Science Felix Mutati announced the decision, citing incomplete security clearances and the need for further consultations.
“In particular, certain invited speakers and participants remain subject to pending administrative and security clearances, which have not yet been concluded,” Mutati said in a statement.
He explained that proceeding with the conference without completing these processes would not align with Zambia’s regulatory framework and responsibilities as a host nation.
The event, RightsCon 2026, is a major international platform focused on digital rights and innovation, expected to attract over 5,000 delegates from more than 150 countries, including policymakers, technology leaders and civil society organisations.
Mutati stressed that the postponement is procedural and does not reflect any withdrawal from Zambia’s commitment to digital development or international cooperation.
A new date for the summit will be announced after further consultations with stakeholders and partners. https://www.lusakatimes.com/2026/04/29/government-postpones-rightscon-2026-lusaka-summit/#google_vignette
“The decision by the Zambian government to cancel #RightsCon 2026, just days before it was due to start, is troubling on so many levels, especially given the absence of any real justification for a decision that impacts freedom of expression, freedom of association, the protection of human rights in the digital world, and Africa’s reputation as a location for civil society activism in this space.
We will no doubt learn more in the coming days. Meanwhile, this excellent article raises several important and worrying concerns:
“The postponement also reflects a broader pattern across Africa and globally: governments increasingly viewing digital rights conferences, tech policy forums, and civil society gatherings as potential threats to state control. When governments can delay or cancel such events, they eliminate spaces where activists, researchers, and ordinary citizens can learn about their digital rights, share tools for privacy protection, and organize around policy change.” https://www.linkedin.com/in/iain-levine-66222356/
This is a betrayal of the global rights community.
The news that came from Zambi today “postponing” RightsCon 2026 just days before it was set to begin in Lusaka is absolutely shocking. After 13 editions, this was supposed to be a historic moment—the first time the world’s most important digital rights summit landed in Sub-Saharan Africa. Instead, we are seeing a door slammed in the face of activists, technologists, and human rights defenders.
Why this is a devastating blow:
– The “Alignment” Excuse: Claiming a need for “alignment with national values” or vetting “thematic issues” is a thin veil for censorship. If a government is afraid of a discussion on human rights before it even begins, they are proving exactly why that discussion is so vital.
– A Financial & Logistics Nightmare: Thousands of people—many from underfunded grassroots organizations—have already booked flights or are literally mid-air. For many, this trip represented a year of fundraising. To pull the rug out now is a callous disregard for the limited resources of the civil society sector.
– A Slap in the Face to Access Now: The team at Access Now spends almost a year planning each of these summits. To see months of meticulous preparation and bridge-building dismantled by a last-minute “ideological” pivot is infuriating.
My heart goes out to the organizers and the delegates currently stranded or scrambled. This isn’t just a scheduling conflict; it’s a direct attack on the space for global dialogue. Says
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rawandamenmedia/
#RightsCon #RightsCon2026 #DigitalRights #AccessNow
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