Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has hosted delegates from nine African countries for a cross-regional peer exchange visit aimed at strengthening collaboration on data protection, privacy, and digital governance across the continent.
NDPC
The peer exchange programme was organised by the NDPC in partnership with the World Bank and Smart Africa as part of ongoing efforts to deepen institutional capacity and harmonise data protection frameworks in Africa.
Speaking during the opening session, National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of NDPC, Dr Vincent Olatunji, commended the World Bank and Smart Africa for their sustained commitment to advancing data protection and privacy across the continent.
Olatunji said the exchange was timely, particularly as African countries continue to accelerate digital transformation and expand cross-border data flows requiring stronger governance frameworks.
He noted that the programme provides Data Protection Authorities (DPAs) across Africa with an opportunity to share experiences, learn from one another, and develop coordinated regulatory approaches.
According to him, collaboration among African countries is critical to ensuring that data controllers and processors comply with their obligations while protecting the rights of data subjects.
“The peer exchange offers us an opportunity to collectively examine our progress, identify common challenges, and strengthen institutional cooperation around data governance on the continent,” he said.
Drawing lessons from Europe’s experience with harmonised privacy laws, Olatunji highlighted the benefits of aligning data protection regulations across Africa to improve trust, facilitate digital trade, and strengthen cybersecurity resilience.
He urged participating countries to work towards developing practical and enforceable regulations that respond to the realities of Africa’s digital economy.
The NDPC boss also advised data protection regulators to collaborate closely with government institutions and the private sector in their respective countries to ensure effective implementation of privacy laws and digital governance frameworks.
He stressed the need for greater public awareness on data rights, noting that educating citizens remains essential to building a culture of accountability and privacy protection.
Countries participating in the peer exchange include Burundi, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Sierra Leone, Somalia, and Zambia.
Also participating are representatives from regional organisations, 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).
The initiative builds on NDPC’s previous regional engagements in 2025, when the commission hosted Data Protection Authorities from Botswana, Eswatini, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, and The Gambia for a Data Governance Study Trip organised in partnership with the African Union and the European Union.
According to NDPC, the latest engagement reinforces the importance of cross-border collaboration in strengthening Africa’s data governance ecosystem amid rising concerns around cybersecurity, digital trust, and privacy compliance.
The commission said the programme also aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s broader vision of expanding Nigeria’s cooperation with other nations in the digital age while positioning the country as a leading voice in Africa’s evolving digital policy landscape.
