NDPC, World Bank, and Smart Africa drive cross-regional collaboration to strengthen digital governance across the continent…..
Nigeria has taken a leading role in advancing Africa’s digital governance agenda, hosting nine countries in a high-level data protection exchange aimed at strengthening regulatory systems and fostering cross-border collaboration.
The initiative, organised by the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) in partnership with the World Bank and Smart Africa, marks the first phase of a week-long Cross-Regional Peer Exchange Visit running from May 4 to May 5, 2026.
Participating countries include The Gambia, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ethiopia, Burundi, Somalia, Malawi, Zambia, and Kenya. While Nigeria is hosting the opening phase, Kenya is set to host the concluding segment of the programme.
Designed to bridge gaps between regions, the exchange brings together data protection authorities at varying stages of development to share practical insights on building and implementing effective data governance frameworks.
The event also features participation from major regional organisations such as ECOWAS, CEMAC, and IGAD, highlighting a growing recognition that data protection challenges increasingly require coordinated, cross-border solutions.
At its core, the programme focuses on moving beyond policy discussions to real-world implementation. Key areas of engagement include regulatory development, institutional capacity building, enforcement mechanisms, complaints handling, and the deployment of data protection tools and systems.
The initiative aligns with the broader vision of President Bola Tinubu to deepen Nigeria’s collaboration with other African nations in navigating the demands of a rapidly evolving digital economy.
Backed by the World Bank under the West Africa Regional Digital Integration Project (WARDIP) and implemented alongside Smart Africa, the exchange is part of a wider effort to build trust in Africa’s digital ecosystem while strengthening regulatory institutions.
This latest engagement builds on earlier efforts. In 2025, the NDPC hosted a similar study tour involving several African countries, focusing on data governance and institutional strengthening in collaboration with the African Union and the European Union.
However, the 2026 edition shifts the emphasis toward execution, supporting countries as they transition from drafting laws to enforcing them effectively and consistently.
By encouraging peer learning and sustained collaboration, the programme aims to create not just dialogue, but lasting institutional impact across participating nations.
As digital transformation accelerates across Africa, initiatives like this are increasingly seen as critical to ensuring that growth is underpinned by trust, accountability, and robust data protection systems.
