Nigeria has reinforced its commitment to strengthening digital governance and cross-border data protection cooperation following the signing of new Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with African regulatory counterparts during a continental conference in Abidjan.
The National Commissioner of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Vincent O. Olatunji, announced that the agreements were signed at the 2026 Network of African Data Protection Authorities (NADPA-RAPDP) Annual General Meeting and Conference.
The MoUs were concluded between Nigeria and the Morocco Data Protection Authority (CNDP), as well as the Gambia Information Commission (GIC), marking a significant step toward deeper regional cooperation in digital rights governance.
According to the NDPC, the partnerships are designed to enhance collaboration in key areas including mutual legal assistance, knowledge sharing, regulatory coordination, and information exchange. These measures are expected to improve the enforcement and harmonisation of data protection laws across African jurisdictions.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Olatunji emphasised that the increasing interconnectedness of the global digital economy has made regulatory cooperation between data protection authorities more critical than ever. He noted that stronger collaboration would help build trust in digital systems, improve regulatory alignment, and strengthen investor confidence across borders.
The NDPC also acknowledged the contributions of the President of the CNDP, Mr. Omar Seghrouchni, and the Head of the Gambia Information Commission, Ms. Nene MacDouall-Gaye, for their commitment to advancing privacy rights and data protection frameworks across the continent.
Officials say the agreements reflect a growing continental effort to build a secure, trusted, and innovation-driven digital ecosystem in Africa, while ensuring that citizens’ data rights are protected in an increasingly digital economy.