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.