• Representatives from 24 African countries adopted a common 2026-2030 roadmap on personal data governance in Abidjan.
• Regulators called for stronger national data protection authorities and stricter compliance mechanisms for companies and public institutions.
• African regulators linked data security and digital trust to the continent’s projected $721 billion digital economy by 2050.

African personal data protection authorities want to accelerate the harmonization of digital regulations across the continent. Representatives from 24 African countries adopted a new roadmap covering the 2026-2030 period during the 9th conference of the African Network of Personal Data Protection Authorities (RAPDP) held this week in Abidjan.

African Network of Personal Data Protection Authorities organized the discussions with support from Ivory Coast Telecommunications and ICT Regulatory Authority. The participants sought to define a common African position on personal data governance, cybersecurity and the regulation of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.

The declaration adopted after the meeting urged African states to treat personal data protection as a strategic digital sovereignty issue rather than a purely administrative or legal matter.

Consequently, regulators called for stronger national data protection authorities, improved coordination among African countries and stricter compliance mechanisms for both public institutions and private companies.

In addition, participants discussed the need to adapt African regulatory frameworks to the rapid growth of digital financial services, biometric technologies, global digital platforms and artificial intelligence applications.

The initiative comes as several African countries accelerate digital transformation projects linked to e-government services, digital payments and digital identity systems.

However, regulators warned that rapid digitalization also increases exposure to cyberattacks, personal data exploitation and technological dependence on large foreign platforms.

Therefore, African authorities aim to secure the long-term development of the continent’s digital economy while strengthening trust in digital systems.

Beyond regulatory concerns, African states also want to safeguard the expansion of the continent’s digital economy.

According to African Continental Free Trade Area, Africa’s digital economy could reach $721 billion by 2050 if governments and businesses sustain large-scale investments and digitalization efforts.

Regulators now consider digital trust and data security essential conditions for the development of e-commerce, digital financial services and public digital platforms across the continent.

This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya

Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum