The National Commissioner/CEO of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Dr Vincent Olatunji, was ably represented by the Head of Legal, Enforcement and Regulations at the Commission, Barrister Babatunde Bamigboye, at the stakeholder engagement on the development of the Data Protection and Privacy Regulatory Framework for e-Commerce, hosted by the NDPC.

In his welcome address, Barrister Bamigboye stated that the development of a framework for e-commerce is essential to strengthening trust in Nigeria’s digital economy and ensuring the protection of personal data in an increasingly interconnected marketplace. He noted the value of e-commerce to Nigeria’s GDP, stating that it must be allowed to thrive in line with global best practices.

Discussions during the engagement focused on systemic privacy issues, including the need for continuous awareness and capacity building on data protection, the implementation of data protection principles in practice, platform accountability, responsible cross-border data transfers, emerging technologies, third-party risk management, and the enforcement of data subject rights.

The engagement, which brought together regulators, key industry players, legal experts, consumer advocates, technology professionals, and other relevant stakeholders, concluded with the Commission informing stakeholders that their feedback and recommendations would be reflected in the draft framework to ensure that all relevant issues are addressed to drive effective compliance, accountability, and sustainable growth within Nigeria’s digital economy.