With guidance from the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) and local governance by Smart Africa in partnership with the African Data Centre Association (ADCA), the project signals the beginning of a new chapter in Africa’s digital transformation journey.
Africa has taken a significant step towards building a sustainable and secure data infrastructure by launching a new Code of Conduct for data governance. Spearheaded by the Smart Africa Alliance, the initiative aims to create a unified framework for responsible data management across the continent. The Code of Conduct provides guiding principles on data protection, ethical use, privacy, cross-border data flows, and digital sovereignty, addressing growing concerns over data misuse and fragmentation of regulations.
This move is part of a broader effort to harmonize digital policies across African nations, enhance regional cooperation, and attract more investment in digital infrastructure. It also aligns with Africa’s digital transformation agenda, which seeks to leverage data as a key driver of innovation, economic growth, and improved public services. The Code encourages both governments and private entities to adopt transparent and inclusive data practices while upholding human rights and democratic values.
By establishing this voluntary yet influential framework, Africa positions itself to compete more effectively in the global digital economy. It also ensures that the continent’s digital future is built on trust, accountability, and sustainable development. The initiative is expected to evolve into binding regulations as more countries adopt and integrate the guidelines into national policy.
Click here to read more
Leave a Reply