The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), in collaboration with the World Bank and Smart Africa, is hosting nine countries in the first phase of a week-long Data Protection Cross-Regional Peer Exchange Visit to be held from May 4 to May 5, 2026.
The Gambia, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ethiopia, Burundi, Somalia, Malawi, Zambia, and Kenya are being hosted as part of the continental initiative, with Nigeria hosting the first segment, while Kenya will host the concluding phase.
Intentionally designed to foster East–West peer learning, the event brings together authorities at different stages of maturity to share practical experience on building and operationalising data protection regimes.
In addition to country delegations, representatives from key regional bodies, including the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC), and the InterGovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), will also participate, underscoring the importance of cross-border cooperation in strengthening data protection frameworks across Africa.
The initiative is in line with the broader vision of President Bola Tinubu to advance Nigeria’s cooperation with other nations in the digital age.
The peer exchange is supported under the World Bank-financed West Africa Regional Digital Integration Project (WARDIP) and implemented in partnership with Smart Africa, as part of broader efforts to strengthen regulatory capacity and promote trust in the digital economy.
The initiative builds on previous engagements. In 2025, the NDPC hosted Data Protection Authorities from Botswana, Eswatini, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, and The Gambia on a Data Governance Study Trip aimed at strengthening data governance across Africa. The study tour was hosted by the African Union and the European Union.
The 2026 Cross-Regional Peer Exchange further builds on the experience, with a specific focus on supporting the transition from legislative frameworks to effective institutional implementation, and strengthening day-to-day regulatory practice through peer-to-peer learning.
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With key focus areas including regulatory development, institutional capacity building, complaints handling and enforcement mechanisms, data protection systems and tools, strategic planning and budgeting, and institutional independence, the Peer Exchange Visit aims to promote collaboration, shared learning, and knowledge exchange among participating countries and institutions.
The initiative highlights the importance of cross-border cooperation in strengthening data protection frameworks and advancing a trusted digital ecosystem across Africa, while fostering concrete institutional learning and follow-through beyond the peer exchange itself.
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