Hot SourceOghenevwede Ohwovoriole in Abuja
African Union (AU) and European Union (EU) have urged African countries to harmonise data protection frameworks for the continent’s data security.
The two bodies 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 Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), in Abuja.
Delegates from Tanzania, Mozambique, Gambia, Sierra Leone, Eswatini, Botswana and Nigeria were in Abuja to carry out a study tour of data protection in Africa.
Head of Cooperation, EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Massimo de Luca said, “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 strong economic growth.
“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 assured that their approach to digital partnership at the EU was anchored on values, human dignity, privacy, openness and inclusion, adding that EU is ready to support data protection authorities to achieve same.
A representative of the German Embassy in Nigeria, Felix Reinhold, said they believed African data should remain in Africa.
Reinhold stated, “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.”
According to him, Africa’s future digital economy will be strongest if built on trust, transparency and cross border collaboration.
In his address, National Commissioner, NDPC, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, said although 36 African countries had enacted data protection laws, only 26 had established dedicated data protection authorities.
Olatunji also stated that it was not enough to establish data protection laws, adding that data protection requires implementation of laws and cross-border cooperation of countries.
He stated, “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 to only borrow global standards of data protection and governance but also develop home grown frameworks that reflected their cultural and socio-economic realities.
Chairman, Senate Committee on ICT and Cybersecurity, Senator Salisu Afolabi, said lawmakers came 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,” Afolabi said.
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