In 2021, the African Union Commission (AUC) commissioned Research ICT Africa (RIA) to support the development of a Data Policy Framework for Africa. RIA’s support was made possible by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) under the DataCipation programme.
RIA has provided technical assistance to a task team convened by the AUC to draft a policy framework that will guide policy formulation and alignment by regional economic communities (RECs) and members of the African Union. The policy framework seeks to ensure that the ever-increasing production and use of data across the continent benefit all Africans. The policy framework stipulates the essential infrastructure needed for realisation of value from data, and the necessity of creating a safe and trustworthy digital environment that supports the development of a sustainable and inclusive African digital economy and society. The policy framework is right based, principled and adaptable.
The African Union Data Policy Framework was adopted by the AU in February 2022 and published in six different languages recently. Following adoption RIA is currently providing technical assistance to the AUC to develop an implementation plan for the framework. The plan will include a capacity assessment tool and a monitoring and evaluation check list. The implementation plan will be considered for endorsement by the African Union before the end of 2022.
