The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has participated in the Africa Data Leadership Initiative (ADLI) 2025 Workshop and Study Tour held in Cape Town, South Africa, reinforcing Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening data governance and privacy across the continent.
The Commission was represented at the programme by the Head of its Regulations Unit, Ms Ibukunoluwa Owa, alongside Mr Ariwoola Martins of the Information Technology Department. The three-day workshop was jointly organised by the Digital Impact Alliance (DIAL), Smart Africa, and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), and brought together policymakers, regulators, and technical experts from across Africa.
Discussions during the workshop focused on critical issues shaping Africa’s digital future, including cross-border data transfers, verifiable credentials, data protection, open finance, and the practical implementation of continental data and digital frameworks. Participants benefited from expert contributions drawn from institutions such as Smart Africa, Research ICT Africa, DIAL, IDEA, South Africa’s Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT), Cenfri, and FinMark Trust, among others, ensuring a wide range of regional and sectoral perspectives.
A major highlight of the study tour was a field visit to the Western Cape Government Klapmuts eCentre, where participants observed design-led thinking applied to digital service delivery. The visit showcased how digital services can be co-created with communities, demonstrated the Digital Government Model Framework in action, and underscored the value of people-centred approaches to Digital Public Infrastructure within African governments.
The programme concluded with country teams developing and presenting 24-month roadmaps outlining strategic actions to achieve effective data governance in their respective countries. Experts from Nigeria, Eswatini, and Tanzania took part in the cohort, creating a strong platform for peer learning and the exchange of practical experiences.
Through its participation, the NDPC emphasised the central role of data protection in building trusted digital systems and sustainable Digital Public Infrastructure, aligning with its mandate to champion privacy rights and responsible data governance in Nigeria and across Africa.