The second break-out session of the recently concluded Network of African Data Protection Authorities (NADPA-RAPDP) Conference and Annual General Meeting was chaired by the Senior Data Protection Expert with the European Commission’s International Digital Cooperation Project, Tamar Kaldini.
With the theme, “Guardians of Privacy: Strengthening Africa’s Data Protection Authorities in the Digital Age,” the session examined how Africa’s data protection authorities can be strengthened to effectively oversee data protection in the digital age. Discussions focused on capacity building, technological tools, and international collaboration to engage regulators’ capabilities.
Panelists also explored the challenges faced by data protection authorities in dealing with data breaches, cross-border data flows, and the enforcement of privacy laws. They proposed strategies to empower these institutions to become more agile and responsive in a rapidly changing digital landscape.
Panelists included the National Commissioner/CEO of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, Dr Vincent Olatunji; the President of the Personal Data Protection Authority in Benin Republic, Dr Luciano Hounkponou; the President of the National Commission of Data Protection in Cape Verde, Faustino Verela Monteiro; the Director of Data Protection in Zimbabwe, Tsitsi Mariwo; and the Executive Director of the Data Protection Commission in Ghana, Arnold Elton Kavaarpuo.
