Nigeria has commenced a regional data governance engagement as the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), in partnership with the World Bank and Smart Africa, hosts delegates from nine African countries for a cross-regional peer learning programme aimed at strengthening data protection systems across the continent.
The two-day opening segment of the initiative, which runs from May 4 to May 5, 2026, brings together representatives from The Gambia, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ethiopia, Burundi, Somalia, Malawi, Zambia, and Kenya. The programme is part of a wider continental effort designed to deepen regulatory capacity and build trust in Africa’s rapidly expanding digital economy.
According to organisers, the engagement is structured as a peer exchange initiative that allows countries at different stages of data protection development to share practical experiences on establishing, implementing, and managing data protection frameworks.
In addition to national delegations, regional institutions including the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC), and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) are also participating, highlighting growing efforts to harmonise data governance standards across Africa.
The initiative is being implemented under the World Bank-supported West Africa Regional Digital Integration Project (WARDIP), in collaboration with Smart Africa. It aligns with broader efforts to strengthen regulatory institutions and enhance confidence in digital systems across participating countries.
Officials noted that the programme reflects Nigeria’s wider diplomatic and digital cooperation agenda under President Bola Tinubu, particularly in advancing partnerships in emerging technology and data governance.
This year’s exchange builds on previous initiatives, including a 2025 study visit hosted by the African Union and European Union, during which Nigeria welcomed data protection authorities from several African countries for similar capacity-building engagements.
The 2026 edition places stronger emphasis on moving from the adoption of legal frameworks to effective implementation, with a focus on institutional performance, regulatory enforcement, and operational efficiency.
Key areas of discussion include complaints handling systems, enforcement mechanisms, strategic planning, budgeting processes, institutional independence, and the deployment of tools for effective data protection oversight.
Kenya is expected to host the concluding phase of the programme following the Nigeria segment, further extending the knowledge-sharing platform across regions.
Organisers say the initiative underscores the importance of cross-border collaboration in building a secure and trusted digital environment, while promoting sustained institutional learning among African data protection authorities.
