In today’s digital era which is increasingly reliant on data-driven economies, understanding the ramifications of national data policies and data governance regimes on cross-border data flows is paramount. As data becomes a cornerstone of economic growth and societal development, for Africa, remarkable opportunities can arise in the near future from the ongoing digital transformation and the ever-increasing production and use of data to support the development of a sustainable and inclusive data-driven economy and society and this is in line Agenda 2063 development and integration goals. As the continent is moving towards the transition to a consolidated African Digital Single Market, there is a need for facilitating data access and enabling data to flow across borders, by ensuring interoperability of data systems, building trust between business and consumers, aligning regulations across jurisdictions by governments and enhanced cooperation among large organizations dealing with data. To maximize data usage and data flows within and between African countries, foster value creation and enable African citizens to securely access data-driven digital services when needed regardless of location. The African Union (AU) in an effort to respond to these imperatives has developed the AU Data Policy Framework (DPF). The AU DPF emphasizes the need for enhanced harmonization of policy, legal and regulatory frameworks and strengthened cooperation among countries to remove existing barriers and restrictions on cross-border data flows. It also promotes continuous and collaborative efforts aimed at helping the continent to achieve a well-functioning data governance environment that can ensure equitable access to data-driven opportunities and preserve the benefits of secure and trusted cross-border data flows in support of intra-Africa digital trade while minimizing risks stemming from misuse of personal data and infringement of privacy. Similar to other regions, Africa is currently marked by a fragmented data governance landscape, lacks common definitions and understanding of basic concepts related to cross-border data flows, digital and data divide, limited coordination on data-related issues and countries adopting different approaches to regulate and safeguard data. This session seeks to discuss the multifaceted impacts of fragmented policies and data governance regimes on cross-border data flows in Africa. By convening stakeholders from government, industry, civil society, and academia, we aim to explore the nuances of national policies and approaches to data and their implications for regional digital economies. Through this interactive dialogue, participants will examine the potential trade-offs between data sovereignty, data capabilities and data accessibility, identifying opportunities for collaboration and policy innovation. Unpacking the complexities of data governance will provide solutions for charting a course towards a more interconnected and digitally inclusive Africa. To create an equitable experience for both onsite and online participants, both onsite and online moderators will receive pre-session instructions to ensure ample consideration for online participants. This will involve prioritizing comments and questions from online participants before those physically present, acknowledging the inherent advantage of onsite attendance. To embrace the hybrid nature of the event, online and onsite moderators will foster an inclusive environment that bridges the gap between physical and virtual spaces. The online moderator will play an active role in engaging with participants through the chat function, fostering dynamic interaction throughout the session. Furthermore, all participants will be reminded by both onsite and online moderators at the outset of the session to uphold respectful discourse and adhere to the Internet Governance Forum’s code of conduct to promote a collaborative and inclusive atmosphere for meaningful exchange.
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