The National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, Dr Vincent Olatunji, has called for stronger safeguards to protect consumers’ data as Africa’s rapidly growing gaming industry grapples with complex regulatory demands.
Dr Olatunji made this known while speaking as a panellist at the Africa Gaming Expo 2026, during a session titled “Navigating Compliance in a Multi-Agency Environment.” The discussion focused on how operators across the continent can balance compliance requirements while sustaining growth in a highly regulated space.
Addressing industry stakeholders, Dr Olatunji stressed that data protection and privacy must remain central to gaming operations, warning that lapses could expose millions of users to risks such as identity theft, financial fraud, and misuse of personal information. He noted that as more Africans engage with digital gaming platforms, the responsibility on operators to protect user data has become both a legal and social obligation.
He urged gaming companies to adopt robust systems that prevent unauthorised access to customer information, respect user rights as data subjects, and ensure that all data processing activities are conducted lawfully and transparently. According to him, compliance is not just about avoiding sanctions but about building trust in an industry that relies heavily on user confidence.
Beyond operators, Dr Olatunji also called on regulators across Africa to deepen collaboration, noting that fragmented regulatory frameworks can create loopholes that undermine both enforcement and innovation. He emphasised that a coordinated approach would help unlock the full economic potential of the continent’s gaming sector while ensuring consumer protection.
The session was moderated by Peter Emolemo, CEO of the African iGaming Alliance, and featured contributions from key regulators across the continent. These included Dennis Mudene Ngabirano, CEO of the National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board in Uganda; Lungile Dukwana, Acting CEO of the National Gambling Board in South Africa; Fortune Sekgaphane; and Emmanuel Oluwasina Sotande, Chief Operating Officer for Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions at the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit.
The event drew high-level participation from government officials and industry leaders. The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, delivered a welcome address through the Secretary to the State Government, Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin. Also present were the Lagos State Head of Service, Bode Agoro, and the Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Tunbosun Alake.
As Africa’s gaming ecosystem continues to expand, stakeholders at the expo agreed that the intersection of regulation, technology, and consumer protection will define the industry’s future. For many, the message was clear: without strong data protection frameworks and coordinated oversight, the social and economic risks of growth could outweigh its benefits.