Multilingual African Digital Semiotics and E-lit Journal (MADSEJ)

The rapid increase of internet connectivity has resulted in 5.52 billion global internet users in 2024, including approximately 570 million in Africa. This exponential growth has catalysed significant sociocultural transformations and computationally-assisted studies, forming the foundation for contemporary African digital culture. African users, in particular, leverage platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter) as tools for liberation and social activism, often operating beyond the direct influence of global powers, including the United Nations. Notable examples include the socio-political upheavals of the Arab Spring in Egypt, Tunisia, and Libya; the #EndSARS protests in Nigeria; and the recent Gen Z-led protests in Kenya.

African digital culture, undoubtedly, has become an enduring phenomenon, yielding substantial benefits. These include enabling digital activism, providing pathways to stardom through video content creation, and compelling governments to address pressing societal issues. The youth, in particular, have embraced digital technologies for their socio-technological and socioeconomic advantages, fostering a collective sense of empowerment and social responsibility. While challenges inherent to these digital transformations exist, this discourse emphasises their positive impacts.

Unlike traditional African cultural practices—such as the communal decision-making that required a market-day assembly—modern digital platforms like WhatsApp forums, Facebook Village Groups, Zoom, and Google Meet now facilitate instantaneous interactions and conversations. These tools have reshaped social exchanges, fostering sustainable and harmonious environments, physically or virtually.

Moreover, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into African digital ecosystems has further transformed its socioeconomic dynamics. Platforms such as Facebook Reels, YouTube, and TikTok have enabled Gen Z creators to achieve financial independence through their innovative digital skits and content creation. These advancements underscore the transformative potential of AI in alleviating poverty and redefining African digital culture.

The transformative landscape of African digital humanities inspired the theme of Volume 2, Number 1 of the Multilingual African Digital Semiotics and e-Lit Journal (MADSEJ), October 2024: The Integration of Artificial Intelligence into the African Humanities scholarship.