Digital transformation in Africa continues to drive innovative, inclusive, and sustainable growth. Yet, at the same time, with millions of Africans still unconnected, digitally led development remains an unfulfilled promise for many. To address this, the DataCipation project was developed to support the harmonised implementation of the African Union’s Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa 2020-2030, as well as its related digital and data policy frameworks.
As inclusion and participatory processes are key to realising this vision, the DataCipation project focuses on facilitating regulatory peer learning, participatory exchanges and multi-stakeholder capacity-building between member states and Regional Economic Communities. As a result, the project creates much-needed institutional capacity for more effective data governance and digital innovation across the continent.
Technical assistance and capacity building
As an official implementation partner, Research ICT Africa has worked alongside Smart Africa, AUDA-NEPAD, and Strathmore University to support the continental rollout of the AU Data Policy Framework (AUDPF) through the development of data regulations and strategies, and capacity-building on data governance. This work has been developed according to the following objectives:
- Strengthening the competencies of governmental and non-governmental actors to implement and monitor the AU Data Policy Framework within their distinct contexts;
- Harmonising national, regional, and continental data policies in line with the AU DPF;
- Promoting digital participation and communication processes, especially for women and young people.
By bringing together national data protection authorities from several countries for training and data validation exercises, the programme ensures that relevant stakeholders can effectively develop, adopt, and manage national data governance frameworks that respond to local contexts and cultural conditions. Research ICT Africa has helped deliver national data policies and strategies for The Gambia, the Comoros, and Somalia.
Knowledge Exchange Forum
As the DataCipation project concludes, RIA convenes a Knowledge Exchange Forum focused on challenges, institutional arrangements, and lessons learned as countries move from policy development to implementation. Insights from the exchange will inform the development of a Data Policy Implementation Toolkit that provides practical guidance, tools, templates, checklists, and case studies to support policymakers and practitioners implementing data governance frameworks. The Forum seeks to:
- Strengthen collaboration among policymakers, regulators, technical experts, and continental institutions working on data governance;
- Facilitate peer learning and exchange among countries implementing national data policies and strategies;
- Identify common barriers and enablers of effective data policy implementation;
- Document practical lessons and implementation approaches from participating countries;
- Explore institutional, regulatory, technical, and capacity-related requirements for implementation; and
- Identify priority areas and practical resources to be included in the Data Policy Implementation Toolkit.
