The MoU, which took effect from March 10th, 2022 , laid the foundation for  Pan African dialogues and cooperation.

 It comes after initial discussions between Smart Africa and NADPA/RAPDP began in November 26th,2021 in Benguerir, Morocco on the need to join forces as a region to enforce the harmonization of the data protection laws as a matter of regional interest.

Executive Director of Ghana’s Data Protection Commission and President of the Network of African Data Protection Authorities, Madam Patricia Adusei Poku intimated that organizations had reached a new milestone and were now ready to enter into such a partnership .

She said that the  partnership would not only achieve pledged commitments from a data governance and data protection legal harmonization point of view, but would also develop regional training and certification for African data protection professionals in order to address the skills deficit in the field.

The partnership will among other things focus on support for national data strategies and enforcement of data protection regulations in order to create a harmonized framework for data protection policies and regulation in Africa.

It will also offer support for African States in preparing or updating legislation on the protection of privacy and personal data, and in establishing data protection authorities,  develop and conduct joint capacity building modules for African Data Protection Authorities (DPAs) through Smart Africa Digital Academy (SADA) whenever possible as well as

 develop initiatives for enhanced legal collaboration between African Data Protection Authorities to support the digitalization of the continent.

Commenting on the strategic signing of the MoU, the CEO of Smart Africa, Lacina Koné expressed excitement on working together with NADPA/RAPDP to enforce capacities for data protection policies and intensify the pan African collaboration.

He further noted that the MoU would help facilitate and accelerate harmonization and legal collaboration between member states, a move in line with the Malabo Convention as well as the new Continental Data Policy Framework of the African Union Commission.

Awa Ndiaye, President of the Commission of Personal Data Protection (CDP) Senegal emphasized that the MoU represented a strategic framework for design and sharing between key players in the protection of personal data.

She added that it was in line with initiatives to make Africa a safe and enabling space for digital transformation.

About Smart Africa
Smart Africa is an alliance of 32 African countries, international organizations and global private sector players tasked with Africa’s digital agenda.

The alliance is empowered by a bold and innovative commitment by African Heads of State to accelerate sustainable socio-economic development on the continent and usher Africa into the knowledge economy through affordable access to broadband and the use of ICTs.

With a vision to create a single digital market in Africa by 2030, the Smart Africa Alliance brings together Heads of State who seek to accelerate the digitalization of the continent and create a common market.

Launched in 2013 by seven (7) African Heads of State, the Alliance now has 32 member countries, representing over 815 million people and over 40 Private Sector members committed to the vision and the advancement of Africa.