On 29 April 2026, the Government of Zambia announced the postponement of RightsCon, which had been scheduled to take place in Lusaka from 5–8 May 2026. RightsCon is widely recognized as the world’s leading international summit on human rights in the digital age, convening thousands of participants, including civil society, governments, technology companies, journalists, and academics from over 100 countries.
Notably, this was to be the first time such a global conference had been held in Sub-Saharan Africa. It presented a significant opportunity for the region and Zambia in particular to showcase its leadership, as well as existing safeguards and frameworks related to human rights, digital governance, and civic participation.
The Zambian government, through the Ministry of Technology and Science, cited administrative requirements, security clearances, and the need for comprehensive disclosure of thematic issues as reasons for the postponement. In contrast, the permanent secretary for the Ministry of Information & Media said that the conference would not go ahead to allow time to ensure the gathering “aligns with Zambia’s national values, policy priorities, and broader public interest considerations
These differing explanations highlight a lack of consistency in the official rationale provided. Organizers, on the other hand, indicated that they had complied with all necessary requirements and were under the impression that all conditions had been satisfactorily met. They further noted that government communication was not forthright, contributing to confusion in the final days leading up to the event.
The late announcement, just days before the conference, disrupted travel and participation for thousands of registered attendees. As a result, organizers advised participants not to travel, and the conference was postponed in its planned in-person form.