Legal and technology experts across Africa have issued a powerful call for the continent to strengthen its privacy laws and ensure their strict enforcement. This urgent appeal was made during the seventh edition of the Privacy Symposium Africa, held in Lagos State, Nigeria, from December 2, 2025.
A Continental Call for Stronger Digital Safeguards
The three-day event, themed 'Bridging Policy, Technology and Societal Dynamics,' brought together a formidable assembly of data protection regulators, policymakers, civil society actors, and industry leaders. It was organized by Unwanted Witness and co-hosted by Nigeria's National Data Protection Commission (NDPC), the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), and the Data Protection Lawyers Association of Nigeria (DPLAN).
The central goal was clear: to shape a digital future for Africa that is firmly rooted in trust, equity, and the protection of fundamental human rights. Experts argued that with rapid technological advancements like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and biometric identification systems, existing legal frameworks are struggling to keep pace.
Protecting the Vulnerable in the AI Era
A significant portion of the discourse focused on protecting children and other vulnerable groups. The keynote speaker, Dr. Adekemi Omotubora, a law lecturer from the University of Lagos (UNILAG), highlighted a critical gap. She noted that while approximately 44 African nations have some form of data protection law, only a handful include specific provisions for child protection.
"Up to 16 countries have launched Artificial Intelligence strategies, but are the provisions robust enough to protect children in the AI era?" Dr. Omotubora questioned, pointing to the increasing misuse of children's images online. She insisted that data protection laws must be deliberately crafted to address the unique risks faced by these groups.
Representing the National Commissioner of the NDPC, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, Head of Innovation Adaobi Nwankwo outlined Nigeria's progress under the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA). She highlighted efforts in licensing data protection officers, registering data controllers, and investigating breaches. However, Dr. Olatunji emphasized that Africa must adopt harmonized, future-focused data protection systems to collectively address emerging risks. "Ethical and transparent data use must become a continental priority," he stated.
Enforcement and Ethical Design as Core Pillars
Speakers unanimously agreed that having laws on paper is insufficient without proper enforcement. Abdulmalik Muhaimin of Chesslaw Consult, who moderated a panel, stressed that enforcement is key. He advocated for a uniform data privacy law across regions to simplify compliance for organizations operating in multiple African countries.
Dr. Faith Okpara, Vice Chairperson of DPLAN, pushed for a paradigm shift where privacy protection is embedded into system design from the outset. She called for regular Data Protection Impact Assessments and advocated for the principle of data minimization—collecting only what is absolutely necessary. "Communications tools should incorporate strong encryption," she advised, also urging data collectors to discard information immediately after its purpose is fulfilled.
The Executive Director of Unwanted Witness Uganda, Dorothy Mukasa, delivered a powerful warning. She urged stakeholders to ensure Africa's explosive technological growth does not become "a new frontier of inequality and exploitation." Mukasa implored that privacy and trust be treated as non-negotiable pillars of the digital future, calling for accountability from governments and corporations alike. She also announced a milestone: her organization's Privacy Scorecard Report, designed to serve as a continental benchmark for ethical digital governance.
The symposium featured masterclasses and panel discussions on critical issues including biometric data, digital ID, surveillance, Edtech, and preparedness for data breaches, setting a comprehensive agenda for Africa's digital policy in the coming years.
