As Africa’s digital economy accelerates, the priority is clear: protect people’s data and strengthen data protection, safety and trust. while keeping the door open to innovation that drives growth. Services powered by mobile networks, APIs, and AI through mobile money can unlock opportunity at scale, but only if safeguards and accountability keep pace.
At the upcoming Network of African Data Protection Authorities Annual Conference 2026 (NADPA) in Abidjan, the GSMA will convene practical discussions on scam disruption, responsible data sharing and privacy-by-design approaches that protect users while enabling new services.
What the GSMA will bring to NADPA 2026
Ahead of the conference, the GSMA will run a workshop with the Africa Digital Rights Hub (ADRH) on Outcome-based Regulatory Systems (OBCRS) for Data Protection Authorities. It will focus on digital rights and protection in mobile money and set out practical approaches to responsible data sharing that can prevent scams while protecting privacy. As fraud becomes more sophisticated, tackling it will require cooperation between operators, regulators, financial service providers and wider ecosystem partners.
The GSMA is also convening a closed-door session on United Against Scams (UAS) a mobile industry initiative to help disrupt fraud and protect consumers. The session will focus on how proportionate, accountable data sharing can strengthen scam prevention while respecting data protection principles.
The GSMA will also have an exhibition presence and will meet bilaterally with Data Protection Authorities (DPAs) and mobile network operators to:
- Strengthen collaboration and mutual understanding
- Align on priority risks and practical regulatory approaches
- Share policy tools and frameworks that protect users while enabling innovation
What global discussions are signalling for Africa
At the GSMA Ministerial Programme during MWC Barcelona 2026, DPAs from multiple regions discussed how regulation can keep pace with rapidly evolving technologies. Several themes consistently emerged:
- Risk-based rules that target harms without constraining low-risk innovation
- Clear expectations for privacy and security by design
- Practical cross-border cooperation between authorities
- Investment in digital literacy to reduce vulnerability to scams
Scam disruption needs coordinated action. It requires DPAs, telecoms, financial authorities and law enforcement to work together. Practical enablers include regulatory sandboxes to test approaches safely, interoperable privacy and security by design APIs, and an evidence-based policy that works. This helps ensure data is shared only when necessary and proportionate to risk. NADPA 2026 is a timely forum to turn these priorities into approaches that work for Africa.
Turning priorities into practice
Embedding privacy and security from the start helps innovators move faster and gives regulators greater confidence in new services. The GSMA’s Open Gateway supports this by standardising access to mobile network capabilities through common APIs, helping developers scale trusted digital services more efficiently across markets.
In practice, initiatives like Open Gateway work best when they sit within clear, consistent privacy rules. These rules set expectations for accountability and technology-neutral safeguards.
For DPAs and industry alike, the goal is practical: create the conditions for trusted data use that supports innovation, strengthens consumer protection and enables cross-border services. At NADPA 2026, the GSMA will help turn these ideas into practical cooperation, focusing on what proportionate data governance looks like in day-to-day implementation.
The GSMA will continue engaging with regulators, operators and partners across the region to support effective, future-ready data protection. If you are attending NADPA 2026, please join in the conversation with us! Share what is working, where barriers remain, and what practical cooperation is needed to disrupt scams and strengthen trust in digital services.