Mina Meets: Andrew Gole, Biking 13,000 km Across Africa for Digital Freedom 🏍️🛜

As Cybersecurity Awareness Month comes to a close, I want to share the story of an incredible activist and digital security expert I met while in Windhoek, Namibia last month attending the Forum on Internet Freedom in Africa #FIFAfrica25. His name is Andrew Gole, and his quest is unlike anything I have ever seen, biking across Africa to raise awareness about digital rights and internet freedom. I had the opportunity to sit down with him after he completed an extraordinary journey from Uganda to Namibia, spanning seven countries and covering over 6,000 kilometers one way, and roughly 13,000 kilometers in total on the round trip. His story is one of endurance, connection, and purpose.

Gole and I photographed in front of his bike at #FIFAfrica25 on September 25 2025 in Windhoek, Namibia.

Passion and Purpose

Andrew works in civil society in Uganda with the DIG/SEC Initiative but riding is his first love.

“I’m a biker first. Doing this for a purpose gives me energy for the work I do.” - Gole.

The ride was not just a personal challenge. It was a way to connect communities across Africa, understand the digital challenges people face, and share his own experiences. Internet freedom, access, and digital security are not abstract concepts, they affect everyday lives, livelihoods, and opportunities.

Crossing Borders and Bridging Digital Gaps

His route took him through seven countries: Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and finally Namibia. Along the way, he experienced firsthand the inequalities in connectivity. In Uganda, Facebook has been blocked since the last election. In Tanzania, X (formerly known as Twitter) is hard to access, even using a VPN. Malawi has cheap and reliable Internet, even during elections. Zimbabwe has one of the most expensive connections in Africa.

Each border, each town, each ride presented challenges from connectivity to logistics, but also opportunities to meet people and understand how digital access shapes communities differently across the continent.

Gole on his bike. Photo credit: CIPESA

“Internet access is not a privilege, it is a necessity. Without it, people miss opportunities in work, education, and communication.”

A 13-day, 6,000km journey

Gole's journey took 13 days. Some days, he rode for 12 hours, navigating border posts, rough roads, and limited connectivity. In Mozambique, he could not get a local SIM card and relied on Wi-Fi at petrol stations or restaurants to update maps. In other countries, roaming and expensive mobile data created similar obstacles.

“The Internet nowadays is everything. If you don’t have access, you miss opportunities for trade, communication, and connection,” he says.

The Power of Community

No journey like this is truly solo. Bikers across Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zimbabwe, and Botswana offered support, guidance, and sometimes accommodation. Being a biker is about being connected. From Kenya to Botswana, Andrew met people who helped him navigate roads, find garages, and connect with local communities.

Lessons Learned

The ride offered more than adventure. It gave Gole a deeper understanding of the digital gaps that exist across Africa. Internet freedom and digital security are not universal. Many people do not realize the risks of leaving personal data unprotected or that platforms can be restricted in ways others take for granted.

Meeting people with different experiences and comparing notes across countries gave clarity on what solutions are needed. Digital rights advocacy is not just for civil society, it is for everyone.

Gole also noticed how digital inequality can create blind spots in understanding. Someone living in a country with expensive or restricted Internet may think that is the norm everywhere and may not see the broader possibilities for access, engagement, and opportunity.

“Many people do not realize the risks of not protecting personal data, especially in this AI age where content can be manipulated and shared without control.”“Digital security is not just technical, it is personal. Everyone has a role in keeping their data safe.”

The Road Ahead

Andrew’s message is simple: combine passion with purpose. Whether it is biking, digital activism, or another calling, meaningful action brings fulfillment and impact. His journey is a reminder that digital freedom is a shared responsibility, and understanding the challenges and opportunities across borders is a step toward building a safer, more connected Africa.

“Use your passion. Do something meaningful. It is fulfilling and it impacts others.”

Gole's roundtrip to and fro Uganda and Namibia. Video credit: Andrew Gole.