Curious how your online presence could make a real impact? Fifty innovators from 28 African countries gathered in Zambia to address this shared interest.
The African Digital Champions Summit — a five-day meet from the 22nd to the 26th of August — encouraged participants to explore digital tools to better serve their communities actively. Indigitous had the opportunity to hear exciting personal experiences and upcoming projects from attendees across our network.
Vincent Chileshe, the digital strategies leader for Cru Zambia and a key member of the organizing committee, was surprised to see leaders from over 28 countries with a passion for addressing missional gaps. “God unites us with a particular purpose for His mission. The Digital Champions Summit was one of them,” he says. Vincent envisions creating online platforms dedicated to discussing mental issues in Zambia. He believes this initiative can cultivate stronger personal connections with Jesus and other believers.
One of Etsub Yacob’s fondest memories is exchanging life stories with her Rwandan roommate, Ineza Concessa. In 1994, a terrible conflict broke out in Rwanda between Hutu extremists and the minority Tutsi population. It was a brutal struggle for power and land that led to widespread violence and suffering. Despite its powerful impact on Ineza’s community, she still recognized God’s mission in her life and continues to empower the people around her. “Every individual has a different story. Every nation has a different story,” Etsub says. “Pioneering into the mission gaps and meeting so many people made me realize we are all so similar but very different. Even with a common language, we have very different ways of interpretation.”
“Pioneering into the mission gaps and meeting so many people made me realize we are all so similar but very different. Even with a common language, we have very different ways of interpretation.”
Through stories like these, Jonah Jala, the Engagements Lead at Indigitous, highlighted the importance of cultural diversity in Africa. She emphasized the significance of using the digital space in the context of each country’s culture. We must “enhance the experience, rather than diminish each country’s uniqueness in the process,” she says. Jonah used the analogy of a pot representing the shared values of the continent, with each country symbolizing a flourishing plant rooted in its culture.
Even though introducing evangelism may be a starting point, “many people are unfamiliar with using social media for evangelism; there is a need to educate people to utilize media and other digital tools,” says Didier Niyimpaye, a missionary in Burundi.
Even though introducing evangelism may be a starting point, “many people are unfamiliar with using social media for evangelism; there is a need to educate people to utilize media and other digital tools,” says Didier Niyimpaye, a missionary in Burundi. He felt motivated to connect communities through platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp, a space where Burundians can share their stories and engage with new believers. “Our next step is to assemble a media team to further our plans to narrow the missional gap in the country,” he says.
During the event, the leaders were invited to mark their commitment to advancing the digital movement in their countries by placing a pin on the map of Africa. What began as a seven-pin activity quickly evolved into an impressive display of over 50 pins across the map! The Africa Digital Champions Summit showcased unity and commitment through the various ways that individual leaders contribute to digital innovation.
The leaders also signed the Lusaka Declaration, which outlines a pioneering effort to address missional gaps and foster community relations. It aims to establish sustainable teams to enhance digital maturity in 10 countries by 2025 and build a significant presence in 50 African countries by 2027.
With the leaders’ commitment to mobilize digital strategy teams and collaborate with like-minded organizations, we look forward to exciting breakthroughs and cross-cultural collaboration.
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