How do we ensure a secure and innovative digital future for Africa?  

Data is more than just numbers and bytes—it’s power, currency, and the backbone of Africa’s digital future. Yet, across the continent, the question of data ownership remains an unresolved battle. With digital transformation accelerating, African nations are generating massive amounts of personal and commercial data. But who truly controls it? Governments? Foreign tech giants? Local businesses? The answer isn’t as clear-cut as it should be.  

Africa’s data protection landscape is a patchwork of inconsistent laws, outdated policies, and weak enforcement mechanisms. Some nations, like Nigeria, have taken bold steps to regulate data use and hold global corporations accountable, evidenced by the record-breaking $220 million fine against Meta. Meanwhile, other countries still lack the legal frameworks necessary to protect their citizens’ digital rights. The disparity in data regulations across Africa complicates efforts to establish a unified, secure, and sovereign digital ecosystem. 

Beyond legal gaps, Africa also faces an infrastructure challenge. Despite growing investments, the continent still relies heavily on foreign data centers to store and process sensitive information. With tech sovereignty becoming a global priority, this dependence raises critical concerns about security, compliance, and economic control. Who has access to Africa’s data? How is it being used? And most importantly—how can African nations reclaim ownership and build a self-sustaining digital ecosystem? 

This week on #TechTalkThursday, we explore these pressing questions with Jules Hervé Yimeumi, President of Africa Data Protection (ADP), an organization dedicated to strengthening data privacy, cybersecurity, and digital governance across the continent. Through policy advocacy, education, and regulatory support, ADP works to ensure Africa’s data sovereignty and protect citizens’ digital rights. 

In this exclusive Q&A, he unpacks the complexities of data governance in Africa, the push for stronger regulatory frameworks, and why digital sovereignty is not just a buzzword but an urgent necessity. From cybersecurity threats to cross-border data flows, the challenges are immense—but so are the opportunities.

What is the mission of the Africa Data Protection association, and how does it support data protection across the continent?   

The mission of the Africa Data Protection (ADP) association is to promote the confidentiality, security, and integrity of personal data across the African continent. ADP aims to play a key role in shaping data protection policies, regulations, and best practices, ensuring responsible and ethical use of information technologies.

ADP supports data protection in Africa in different aspects: 

Awareness & Education:  

• ADP developed two online courses  dedicated to data protection. 

• We also developed digital literacy books  to educate young people on data privacy and cyberbullying.  

Policy & Regulatory Advocacy:  

• The association engages with governments and regulatory bodies to strengthen data protection laws.  

• ADP also provides recommendations for harmonised data protection frameworks across the continent.  

Research & Publications:  

• ADP regularly publishes reports on the state of data protection and AI regulation in Africa.  

• We also analyse legislative updates and trends (example here ).  

  Networking & Collaboration:  

• We connect industry leaders, legal experts, and policymakers to foster cooperation.  

• Our association also organises conferences, roundtables, and discussions on data governance.  

What are the main challenges in harmonising data protection laws across Africa?  

Different levels of data protection across the continent
African countries have different levels of data protection regulations which represent an important challenge. For example, in 2019, Nigeria created the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation  whereas there is no current legislation in Mozambique or Sudan. This disparity complicates efforts to establish a unified approach to data protection.  

Moreover, at the continental level, significant progress is still needed to establish a harmonised legal framework for data protection. The Malabo Convention on Cybersecurity and Personal Data Protection provides guidelines, but adoption has been slow and only a few countries have ratified it. Although the convention was created in 2014, it was not adopted until nine years later in 2023. Additionally, the continent faces challenges especially in relation to cross-border data transfers and cybersecurity.  

Cross-border data transfers

• Lack of adequate safeguards: Many African countries have restrictions on the transfer of personal data outside their borders. For example, under the Kenya’s Data Protection Act 2019 (art 48 ), personal data can only be transferred if the receiving country ensures an adequate level of protection. However, there is no single continental standard defining “adequate protection”, leading to legal uncertainty. Additionally, other countries on the continent have not yet created a legal framework that set clear rules on data transfers.  

• Dependence on foreign data centers. Egypt or Morocco have created data centers which aim at storing, processing, and managing digital data. However, even when data centers exist in Africa, they have a limited capacity. However, even when data centers are present in Africa, their capacity remains limited. 

For example, South Africa, the continent’s leader with 100 data centers, has only 200MW of computing capacity, the same as Switzerland, despite having seven times the population.  

 On the other hand, other governements are still largely depending on data centers located in Europe, the US or Asia due to limited local infrastructure. This depency present concerns in particular because of sovereignty and compliance with African regulations.
 

Cybersecurity gaps  

• Fragmented regulations and weak enforcement: South Africa and Mauritius, have well-established cybersecurity frameworks, while others lack clear strategies, exposing personal data to cyber threats. Even where data protection laws exist, enforcement is inconsistent due to limited resources, lack of expertise, and weak regulatory bodies. This undermines confidence in cross-border cooperation.  
• Growing Cyber Threats: Africa is increasingly targeted by cybercriminals, and without a harmonised cybersecurity approach, cross-border cybercrime enforcement is challenging. 

What lessons can African regulators learn from Nigeria’s record fine on Meta?   

Nigeria’s record $220 million fine against Meta highlights several key lessons that regulators across the continent can adopt to ensure accountability, fair competition and data protection compliance. 

Strengthening Data Protection Frameworks. One of the key aspects from Nigeria’s decision is the importance of having a strong and comprehensive data protection legislation. The transition from the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (2019) to the Nigeria Data Protection Act (2023) demonstrates how legislative evolution can close regulatory gaps and strengthen enforcement authorities. Other African countries can follow this model by updating and strengthening their own data protection regulations to align with global best practices. 

Ensuring effective enforcement mechanisms. Laws are only effective if they can be enforced properly. Nigeria’s investigation lasted 38 months and was conducted in collaboration with the Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC) and Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC). This shows the necessity of equipping regulatory bodies with the resources, expertise, and independence required to conduct thorough investigations and enforce penalties effectively. 

Encouraging regional cooperation: Given the cross-border nature of digital services, African regulators can enhance cooperation and share best practices in addressing data protection violations. Establishing regional frameworks could lead to the creation of stronger regulations and contribute to better enforcement. 

How can Africa balance digital health innovation with strong data privacy protections?  

Africa can balance digital health innovation with strong privacy protections by implementing a comprehensive, multi-stakeholder approach that ensures technological, scientific progress and ethical governance.  

Establish robust legal and regulatory frameworks 

• Adopt continent-wide regulations that are aligned with global standards and adapted to local contexts. 

• Promote regional harmonisation through organisations such as the African Union (AU) to ensure cross-border data protection. 

• Enforce data sovereignty laws that define who owns health data and under what conditions it can be accessed or shared. 

Strengthening data governance and ethical standards 

• Develop national health data governance frameworks to regulate the collection, storage, processing and sharing of sensitive health information. 

• Implement transparent consent mechanisms to ensure that individuals have control over how their data is used. 

• Establish independent data protection authorities to audit digital health platforms. 

Invest in secure digital infrastructure 

• Develop more data centers across the continent to reduce the risks of foreign dependency and data breaches. 

• Support public-private partnerships (PPPs) to finance and implement cybersecurity best practices. 

• Create strong security protocols (e.g. encryption, anonymisation). 

Building local expertise and digital literacy 

• Train health professionals, policy makers and IT experts on data privacy laws, ethical use of AI and cybersecurity. 

• Raise community awareness through public education campaigns on privacy rights and risks. 

How does data protection contribute to Africa’s digital sovereignty goals?  

There is a growing concern that African citizens, businesses, and governments are gradually losing control over their data as well as their ability to regulate the digital environment effectively. Data protection can contribute to Africa’s digital sovereignty by: 

Strengthening national and regional control over data. 

• Strong data protection laws prevent unauthorised access and transfer of data to foreign entities that do not have an adequate and sufficient level of protection. 

• Regulations promotiong data localisation require that data generated within a country be stored and processed locally, reducing reliance on foreign servers and cloud services. 

Safeguarding national security and privacy. 

• Without proper data protection, sensitive government and citizen data can be exploited by foreign companies and governments. 

• Regulations ensure that data collected within Africa is used ethically and not misused for surveillance or economic manipulation. 

Strengthening regulatory capacity 

• Well-defined data protection laws empower African governments to negotiate better terms with global tech companies. 

• Regulatory frameworks can enforce fair competition and prevent monopolistic practices by foreign digital firms. 

What measures are needed to ensure safe cross-border data flows in Africa?    

Ensuring safe cross-border data flows in Africa requires a harmonized regulatory framework that balances data protection with economic growth. Strengthening regional cooperation through agreements like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) can facilitate secure data exchanges while promoting digital trade. Implementing robust cybersecurity measures, including encryption, data localization policies, and compliance mechanisms, is crucial to safeguarding sensitive information. Capacity building, digital infrastructure investments, and public-private partnerships can further enhance data security. Additionally, ensuring transparency, accountability, and clear guidelines on data sovereignty will foster trust among governments, businesses, and consumers, ultimately enabling seamless and secure cross-border data flows across the continent. 

What are the association’s key priorities and initiatives for 2025? 

In 2025, Africa Data Protection (ADP) is focusing on expanding its impact through education and awareness.   

Launching a cyberbullying awareness notebook for kids. 

One of our major initiatives this year is the development of an educational notebook designed to help children understand cyberbullying. This initiative seeks to educate children about responsible online behavior and the risks of cyberbullying. By making this accessible and engaging, we hope to instill a culture of digital responsability from an early age. Our most recent book can be found here .  

Expanding online data protection courses across multiple jurisdictions 

We are developing a comprehensive series of online courses covering data protection regulations in various African jurisdictions. These courses will: 

• Provide practical training for businesses, policymakers, and legal professionals. 

• Enhance knowledge on compliance, privacy laws, and ethical data use. 

By making these courses widely available, we aim to bridge the knowledge gap and strengthen data protection capabilities across Africa. Our most recent course can be found here .  

Africa must take control of its digital future  

By strengthening regulatory frameworks, fostering regional cooperation, and investing in secure digital infrastructure, Africa can take control of its digital future. The time to act is now—because in the data-driven world, sovereignty starts with security. 

Stay tuned for more exclusive interviews—only on TechAfrica News.