Navigating the Digital Frontier: Data Privacy and AI Governance In Africa

Africa's digital transformation presents both unprecedented opportunities and complex regulatory challenges. With over 1.3 billion people and 54 diverse legal systems, the continent is crafting innovative approaches to data privacy and AI governance that reflect local contexts while addressing global connectivity needs. This panel will examine three critical dimensions of African data governance: 1. The economic context — the rise of the digital economy in both formal and informal contexts, emerging digital economic policies and strategies for digital inclusion 2. The regulatory response — the evolution of national data protection laws and emerging AI regulatory frameworks that balance innovation with rights protection, the challenges or regulation and enforcement and the role of regional organizations like the African Union in harmonizing cross-border digital governance, and 3. implications for the technology industry — the rise of African tech unicorns and implications for data protection and AI governance, algorithmic accountability and transparency across vital sectors including financial services, healthcare and agriculture, and strategies for balancing innovation promotion with risk and consumer protection.

What you will learn:

• Socio-economic aspects of digital development and AI innovation in Africa, ethical considerations of African digital governance and equity, and their impact on tech policy.
• The landscape of privacy, AI legislation and policy efforts across African jurisdictions, and trends in regulatory development, harmonization and enforcement. 
• Emerging AI governance frameworks in African contexts, implications for industry, and strategic approaches for navigating multi-jurisdictional requirements.