Previous 5 / 84 Next

v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The AU Data Policy Framework was prepared under the overall guidance of H.E Dr. Amani Abou-Zeid, Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, a Taskforce comprising Moses Bayingana, Ag. Head of Information Society Division and Souhila Amazouz, Senior Policy Officer (Team Coordinator), as well as valuable contributions and inputs from: Towela Nyirenda-Jere, Tichaona Mangwende and Gideon Nimako (AUDA-NEPAD); Jean Pierre Gashami and Omar Elmi Samatar (AfDB); Miriem Slimani (ATU); Aretha Mare and Jan Krewer (Smart Africa); Tunde Fafunwa, Mactar Seck and Linda Bonyo (UNECA); Torbjorn Fredriksson and Pilar Fajarnes Garces (UNCTAD); Amr Farouk Safwat and May Ragab Abdelhamid (STC-CICT Bureau Chair); Philip Sauerbaum (EU); Caroline Gaju (ITU); Seyni Fati (GSMA); Tapiwa Ronald Cheuka (AUC/ETIM); Marguerite Ouedraogo Bonane and Patricia Poku (African Network of Data Protection Authorities); Tania Priscilla Begazo Gomez, Marelize Gorgens and Mark Williams (WB). The Framework benefited from financial and technical support from GIZ and Research ICT Africa. Comments were received at various stages of production of this framework by African experts from AU Member States, Regional Economic Communities and AU Specialized Institutions attending the virtual validation workshop and the Fourth Specialized Technical Committee on Communication and ICT. The AU Data Policy Framework was endorsed by the Executive Council during its 40 th Ordinary Session held on 2 – 3 February 2022 through Decision with reference EX.CL/ Dec.1144(XL). Addis Ababa, February 2022

Select target paragraph3

● ● ●

AU DATA POLICY FRAMEWORK, 2023.

Analysis

Analysis Format: Policy

Country

African Union

Keywords

Biometric Data
Data Protection and Retention
Metadata
Open Data
Privacy, Data Protection and Retention

Source URL: African Lii

Notes: The document emphasizes the growing recognition of data as a strategic asset that plays a central role in policy-making, innovation, and economic growth. It underscores the need for a high-level and strategic policy perspective to balance the economic and social potential of data with concerns related to the mass collection and processing of personal data. The primary goal is to provide a policy framework for African countries to maximize the benefits of a data-driven economy by fostering an enabling environment for private and public investments, emphasizing collaboration, alignment of development priorities, and harmonization of policies across the continent.

The policy approach is people-centered, focusing on the role of individuals in the contemporary economy and society within the "data ecosystem." The framework aims to address challenges arising from global developments impacting emerging national data economies and encourages a contextually grounded yet forward-looking data policy. To build a positive data economy at the national and regional levels, unprecedented collaboration is required to address economic, political, and policy pressures. The document proposes the establishment of a unified legal approach across Member States to ensure equitable and safe access to data for innovation and competition. It emphasizes revisiting existing legal instruments and institutions to avoid conflicts and promote complementary protection and obligations.

The comprehensive data strategy also includes harmonization between competition, trade, and taxation policies at national and regional levels. This approach seeks to balance revenue mobilization while avoiding distortions to local markets and the global tax system. Intellectual property laws are recommended to be revised to clarify their stance on data flow and data protection. Additionally, governments are urged to develop transversal digital policies and strategies to coordinate activities across the public and private sectors, aligning with national objectives.

Collection

CIPIT

Date Updated: Feb 5, 2024

Primary Documents

AU Data Policy Framework.pdf
English
Download View

CYRILLA: Global Digital Rights Law

Select target paragraph3

AU DATA POLICY FRAMEWORK, 2023.

Primary Documents

Notifications