Abidjan hosts landmark African data protection summit

Abidjan has emerged as the focal point of Africa’s data governance debate, hosting the ninth edition of the African Network of Personal Data Protection Authorities (RAPDP) conference from May 18 to 21. The four-day gathering brought together over 30 delegations, including 24 African nations, alongside European partners, independent experts, and private sector representatives. The opening ceremony, led by Djibril Ouattara, Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of Digital Transition and Technological Innovation, underscored the event’s strategic importance in shaping the region’s digital economy agenda.

The selection of Abidjan was deliberate. Côte d’Ivoire has steadily positioned itself as a key player in West Africa’s digital ecosystem, leveraging investments in submarine cables, regional data centers, and mobile financial services. By hosting the RAPDP conference, the country reinforces its role in establishing a unified African framework for data regulation—a critical step given the regulatory fragmentation that currently hinders cross-border data flows.

AI and biometric data take center stage at African data governance talks

The conference’s agenda revolved around three critical challenges facing African regulators. The rapid advancement of generative artificial intelligence is reshaping traditional notions of consent and data purpose, with digital platforms—often operated from abroad—collecting vast amounts of personal information without sufficient oversight by local authorities. Meanwhile, the growing use of biometric data in civil identification, social welfare programs, and banking services has raised concerns about the security and proportionality of these systems.

For African data protection authorities, the stakes go beyond technical compliance. Preserving a form of digital sovereignty while fostering continental economic integration remains a delicate balance. Many speakers emphasized that the implementation of the Malabo Convention—a treaty ratified by only a handful of countries—is essential for creating a unified data market. Without harmonized regulations, businesses face high compliance costs, while citizens remain vulnerable to data breaches and misuse.

Africa’s digital economy seeks balanced regulatory solutions

The timing of the conference coincides with a pivotal moment for continental regulation. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is developing a protocol on digital trade, with key provisions on cross-border data flows and local storage requirements sparking divergent views among member states. While some economies prioritize attracting cloud infrastructure investments by advocating for flexible rules, others argue that safeguarding citizens’ rights and preventing asymmetric value transfers require stricter safeguards.

The presence of European delegates at the Abidjan summit highlights the regulatory influence of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). For African businesses exporting digital services, aligning with European standards is often a prerequisite for accessing global markets. However, this alignment must not overshadow the continent’s unique needs, including mobile-driven financial inclusion, sovereign digital identities, and cybersecurity requirements tailored to public administrations.

Toward a unified regulatory roadmap for Africa

Beyond high-level discussions, the conference aims to produce actionable recommendations. Regulators are working to standardize their approaches to international data transfers, strengthen collaborative enforcement mechanisms against tech giants, and develop a shared doctrine on artificial intelligence. Enhancing information-sharing between authorities and coordinating sanctions are also top priorities in a landscape where economic actors operate across borders.

Minister Djibril Ouattara stressed the importance of positioning Abidjan as a credible regulatory hub, complementing Côte d’Ivoire’s growing technological appeal. The next phase will involve transforming the conference’s commitments into enforceable mechanisms capable of influencing global platforms. Discussions will continue through May 21, focusing on these critical priorities.