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As digital transformation accelerates across the continent, African data protection authorities are seeking to further harmonize the rules governing the digital ecosystem. Meeting this week in Abidjan during the 9th Conference of the African Network of Personal Data Protection Authorities (RAPDP), representatives from 24 countries adopted a new roadmap covering the 2026–2030 period.
Organized by Ivory Coast’s Telecommunications/ICT Regulatory Authority (ARTCI), the conference aimed to establish a shared vision on several key issues, including personal data governance, cybersecurity, and the regulation of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.
At the conclusion of the discussions, participants adopted a declaration calling on African governments to treat data protection as a strategic pillar of digital sovereignty. Regulators emphasized that the issue now goes beyond administrative or legal considerations and should be integrated into the continent’s broader digital development agenda.
Key recommendations include strengthening the capacities of national data protection authorities, enhancing cooperation among African countries, and introducing stricter compliance requirements for both public institutions and private-sector organizations.
Participants also highlighted the need to modernize regulatory frameworks to keep pace with the rapid growth of digital financial services, biometric technologies, international platforms, and AI-driven applications.
This initiative comes at a time when many African countries are accelerating their digital transformation through the deployment of e-government services, electronic payment solutions, and digital identity systems. However, regulators warned that this rapid digitalization also increases exposure to cyberattacks, misuse of personal data, and growing dependence on foreign technology platforms.
Beyond regulatory concerns, African governments are also focused on securing the long-term growth of the continent’s digital economy. According to estimates from the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Africa’s digital economy could reach $721 billion by 2050 if investments and digitalization efforts continue at scale.
In this context, data protection authorities now view digital trust and the security of personal information as essential foundations for the expansion of e-commerce, digital financial services, and public digital platforms across Africa.
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