Session
Organizer 1: Technical Community, African Group
Organizer 2: Technical Community, African Group
Organizer 3: Technical Community, African Group
Organizer 4: Technical Community, African Group
Organizer 5: Civil Society, African Group
Organizer 2: Technical Community, African Group
Organizer 3: Technical Community, African Group
Organizer 4: Technical Community, African Group
Organizer 5: Civil Society, African Group
Speaker 1: Sabelo Sabelo, Technical Community, African Group
Speaker 2: ENERST MAFUTA KATOKA, Technical Community, African Group
Speaker 3: Lily Edinam Botsyoe, Technical Community, African Group
Speaker 4: Gabriel Karsan, Civil Society, African Group
Speaker 2: ENERST MAFUTA KATOKA, Technical Community, African Group
Speaker 3: Lily Edinam Botsyoe, Technical Community, African Group
Speaker 4: Gabriel Karsan, Civil Society, African Group
Format
Theater
Duration (minutes): 60
Format description: 1. In a theater-style setup, all participants face the front, where the presenter or facilitator will be seated. 2. Seating allows for more participants to sit in the session 3. Theater layout can accommodate interactive elements like Q&A sessions. Participants can easily raise their hands or use microphones to ask questions, fostering engagement without disrupting the flow of the workshop.
Duration (minutes): 60
Format description: 1. In a theater-style setup, all participants face the front, where the presenter or facilitator will be seated. 2. Seating allows for more participants to sit in the session 3. Theater layout can accommodate interactive elements like Q&A sessions. Participants can easily raise their hands or use microphones to ask questions, fostering engagement without disrupting the flow of the workshop.
Policy Question(s)
1. What is the current position of our data protection laws in Africa and how can African countries align their data governance frameworks with the principles of Agenda 2063 to promote continental integration?
2. What role can the African Union play in facilitating cross-border data flows and resolving disputes related to data governance among member states?
3. How can African countries leverage data governance to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the aspirations of Agenda 2063?
What will participants gain from attending this session? Participants can expect tp explore strategies on how to harmonize diverse national regulations, fostering cross-border collaboration and innovation while ensuring data protection and privacy. Attendees will also gain insights into addressing challenges such as fragmented policies, capacity gaps, and infrastructure limitations. Attendees will engage with experts and peers, participants can expect to be equipped with knowledge to contribute to cohesive, inclusive, and sustainable data governance ecosystems in Africa
SDGs
Description:
Achieving harmony in African Data Governance Principles requires a delicate balance between local imperatives and global standards, particularly in the context of the Global Digital Compact (GDC) and the African Union’s Agenda 2063. The GDC envisions a unified digital future, emphasizing inclusivity, security, and equitable access, while Agenda 2063 prioritizes Africa’s socio-economic transformation through innovation, data sovereignty, and regional integration. Harmonizing these frameworks demands a nuanced approach that respects Africa’s unique challenges and aspirations. Africa’s data governance must prioritize sovereignty, ensuring that data generated on the continent benefits its people and economies. This aligns with Agenda 2063’s call for self-reliance and technological advancement. However, it must also align with the GDC’s principles of global cooperation, ensuring interoperability and trust in cross-border data flows. Harmonized data governance must prioritize digital inclusion, ensuring marginalized communities benefit from data-driven opportunities. Additionally, Africa must leverage its collective strength through regional collaboration, as envisioned in Agenda 2063, to negotiate equitable partnerships globally. In the end, fostering harmony in African data governance goes beyond merely adhering to global standards; it involves shaping a distinct African narrative that supports the continent's developmental objectives. By merging the global perspective of the GDC with the localized ambitions of Agenda 2063, Africa can leverage data as a powerful catalyst for sustainable growth, paving the way for a digital future that is inclusive, fair, and self-directed.
Achieving harmony in African Data Governance Principles requires a delicate balance between local imperatives and global standards, particularly in the context of the Global Digital Compact (GDC) and the African Union’s Agenda 2063. The GDC envisions a unified digital future, emphasizing inclusivity, security, and equitable access, while Agenda 2063 prioritizes Africa’s socio-economic transformation through innovation, data sovereignty, and regional integration. Harmonizing these frameworks demands a nuanced approach that respects Africa’s unique challenges and aspirations. Africa’s data governance must prioritize sovereignty, ensuring that data generated on the continent benefits its people and economies. This aligns with Agenda 2063’s call for self-reliance and technological advancement. However, it must also align with the GDC’s principles of global cooperation, ensuring interoperability and trust in cross-border data flows. Harmonized data governance must prioritize digital inclusion, ensuring marginalized communities benefit from data-driven opportunities. Additionally, Africa must leverage its collective strength through regional collaboration, as envisioned in Agenda 2063, to negotiate equitable partnerships globally. In the end, fostering harmony in African data governance goes beyond merely adhering to global standards; it involves shaping a distinct African narrative that supports the continent's developmental objectives. By merging the global perspective of the GDC with the localized ambitions of Agenda 2063, Africa can leverage data as a powerful catalyst for sustainable growth, paving the way for a digital future that is inclusive, fair, and self-directed.
Expected Outcomes
1. Stakeholder Engagement Framework: A clear plan is expected to be developed to involve a range of stakeholders to help in shaping and implementing data governance policies through Africa
2. Policy Recommendations: The workshop is expected to provide actionable recommendations for policymakers to advance harmonized data governance, addressing challenges like fragmentation, lack of infrastructure, and regulatory gaps.
3. Alignment with AU Agenda 2063 and Global Digital Compact: Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how harmonized data governance principles can support the aspirations of AU Agenda 2063, particularly in areas like economic integration, innovation, and sustainable development. The workshop will also explore synergies with the Global Digital Compact to ensure Africa’s data governance framework aligns with global standards while addressing local needs.
Hybrid Format: As organizers of the session we plan to provide engagement opportunities that allow for comfortable forum experience both for onsite and online participants. To facilitate interaction between onsite and online speakers and attendees, we’ll use a hybrid event platform like Zoom whereby we will integrate live Q&A, polls. Onsite participants will access the platform via tablets or laptops, ensuring seamless inclusion of online attendees. The session will feature dual moderation (onsite and online) to balance engagement and ensure every participant is heard. We shall also be utilizing QR codes for ease of access to join in live streams of the session and not forgetting ensuring the promotion of the session on our various social media platforms