Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, recently became the focal point for African digital governance as the ninth international conference of the African Network of Personal Data Protection Authorities (RAPDP) convened for four days, commencing May 18, 2026. This significant gathering united over thirty nations from both Africa and Europe, featuring twenty-four African delegations alongside international experts, private sector representatives, and specialized institutions. The inauguration was presided over by Djibril Ouattara, the Minister of Digital Transition and Technological Innovation, initiating a series of crucial discussions centered on the evolving challenges posed by artificial intelligence, digital platforms, and biometric data across the continent.
A pivotal outcome anticipated from this summit is the adoption of the Abidjan Declaration 2026-2030. This strategic document is designed to chart the fundamental directions for digital governance in Africa, coinciding with the re-election of the network’s leadership. Amadou Hiro, President of the RAPDP, passionately urged collaborative efforts to forge genuine digital sovereignty, emphasizing robust cooperation among states. Minister Ouattara, for his part, highlighted the conference’s overarching theme, “Regulate without hindering innovation.” This theme encourages stakeholders to craft a balanced regulatory framework, one that is specifically tailored to African realities, capable of safeguarding citizens while simultaneously fostering technological advancement.
During the opening addresses, Roger Félix Adom, President of the Regulatory Council of the Telecommunications/ICT Regulatory Authority (ARTCI), underscored the critical human and security dimensions inherent in data management. He articulated that personal data protection transcends mere technical or legal frameworks, directly impacting privacy, individual dignity, citizens’ freedoms, and public trust in governmental actions. Adom further clarified that regulation should not be perceived as an impediment but rather as a protective structure that actively nurtures innovation within the dynamic digital ecosystem.
To illustrate the practicalities of compliance, Ivorian authorities presented Côte d’Ivoire’s progressive strides in this regulatory domain. The nation’s journey includes the enactment of its personal data protection law on June 19, 2013, followed by public awareness campaigns launched in 2015, comprehensive compliance checks conducted in 2022, and the implementation of streamlined standards. The year 2026 marks another significant milestone with the establishment of a national registry for data protection correspondents. This initiative reflects the collective aspiration of African regulators to foster a unified stance and speak with one voice amidst the rapid global technological transformations.