African Countries Urged To Harmonise Data Protection Governance Frameworks
By Stella Enenche, Abuja
The African Union (AU), European Union (EU), have underscored the need for the data protection authorities in Africa to harmonise data governance across the continent.
The global Unions made the call on Monday at the opening ceremony of a five-day data governance study trip for some Data Protection Authorities (DPAs) across Africa hosted by the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) in Abuja.
Delegates from Tanzania, Mozambique, Gambia, Sierra Leone, Eswatini, Botswana and Nigeria, are in Abuja to carry out a study tour of data protection in Africa.
Mr. Massimo de Luca, Head of Cooperation, EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, said that, “emerging technologies could drive efficiency and empowerment, but cannot be sustained without strong rights-based governance frameworks.
“Data protection is a key pillar in promoting trust from citizens and businesses in the digital economy, driving economic growth strong.
“Data protection authorities not only safeguard citizens’ privacy, but attract investment and facilitate data flows for regional prosperity.
“They are needed to realise the African digital single market in line with the goals of the Africa continental free trade area and the African Union data policy framework,” Luca said.
According to him, “their approach to digital partnerships at the EU was anchored on values, human dignity, privacy, openness and inclusion and was ready to support data protection authorities to achieve the same.”
Mr Felix Reinhold, Representative of the German Embassy said they believe that African Data should remain in Africa.
“We believe that Africa’s data should remain in Africa’s hands and this means not only protecting the rights and privacy of citizens, but also ensuring that the value generated from data contributes to local innovation, sustainable development and the well being of African societies.
‘We must also guard against data monopolies because our shared vision is to foster a trusted and equitable digital environment where countries maintain control over their data while benefiting from regional and continental cooperation,” he added
According to him, “Africa’s future digital economy will be strongest if built on trust, transparency and cross border collaboration.”
The National Commissioner, NDPC, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, in his speech said although 36 African countries have enacted data protection laws, only 26 have established dedicated data protection authorities.
Olatunji also noted that it is not enough to establish data protection laws but data protection requires implementation of laws and cross-border cooperation of countries.
In his words, “Africa’s population of over 1.4 billion people presents immense opportunities for a thriving digital economy under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).
“This potential can only be realised if the continent develops a single digital market that is supported by free responsible flow of data and proper governance structure,”
He urged African data protection authorities not only to borrow global standards of data protection and governance but also develop home grown frameworks that reflect its cultural and socio-economic realities.
Sen. Salisu Afolabi, Chairman, Senate Committee on ICT and Cybersecurity said lawmakers had come up with the National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill to remove legal uncertainties in electronic transactions.,
“We are working with the UN Office on Drugs and Crimes to ensure we have a law that is robust enough and in line with global best practices.”
