{"id":96400,"date":"2026-01-20T11:37:11","date_gmt":"2026-01-20T11:37:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/public-policy\/?p=96400"},"modified":"2026-01-21T12:51:10","modified_gmt":"2026-01-21T12:51:10","slug":"advancing-smart-data-privacy-across-africa-gsma-at-the-2025-data-protection-africa-summit-in-accra","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/public-policy\/advancing-smart-data-privacy-across-africa-gsma-at-the-2025-data-protection-africa-summit-in-accra\/","title":{"rendered":"Advancing smart data privacy across Africa: GSMA at the 2025 Data Protection Africa Summit in Accra"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The 2025 Data Protection Africa Summit (DPAS),<\/a> held in Accra and hosted by the Africa Digital Rights Hub, brought together more than 500 delegates from across the continent and beyond to explore the evolving landscape of data protection, digital rights, and regulatory innovation. The GSMA was proud to participate actively throughout the four\u2011day event, which was formally opened by the Honourable Samuel Nartey George, Ghana\u2019s Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations. His remarks underscored the growing importance of strong data governance frameworks to support Africa\u2019s expanding digital economy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Championing Smart Data Privacy Laws<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The GSMA delivered a specialised masterclass titled Implementing Smart Data Privacy Laws: Achieving the Right Outcomes for the Digital Age<\/a>. Sixteen delegates from Data Protection Authorities, the Gambia Data Protection Authority, the Bank of Ghana, academia, civil society and the broader data privacy community engaged in deep discussions on challenges including consent management, data sharing, authentication, age verification, cross\u2011border data flows, and training needs. Practical examples\u2014such as Mobile Money and Open Gateway case studies\u2014helped transform abstract principles into actionable guidance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strengthening Collaboration and Regulatory Alignment<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A recurring theme throughout the masterclass was the importance of collaboration through public\u2011private partnership (PPP). Participants highlighted the need for stronger alignment among Data Protection Authorities, Telecommunications Regulators, Financial Regulators and other sector\u2011specific bodies. Delegates also emphasised the necessity of increasing digital rights awareness across Africa, especially in local languages, to strengthen trust in systems like Mobile Money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Four<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Five<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"A<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Open Gateway: Unlocking the Potential of Network APIs in Africa<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Open Gateway<\/a> stood out as a major point of interest due to its potential to revolutionise Africa\u2019s digital economy. With standardised open APIs, developers and cloud providers gain a single point of access to the world\u2019s largest connectivity platform. Several operators across Africa are already leveraging Open Gateway to drive financial inclusion, reduce fraud, and enhance identity verification capabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Driving Practical Frameworks for Identity Management<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In addition to the masterclass,\u00a0Noriswadi\u00a0Ismail, Senior Director of Data Privacy at the GSMA, moderated the panel From Policy to Practice: Building Effective Frameworks for Identity Management Systems<\/em>. Discussions focused on designing frameworks grounded in clear data processing purposes, risk\u2011based and rights\u2011based approaches, and context\u2011specific considerations such as business processes, technology,\u00a0culture\u00a0and local traditions. The Nigeria Data Protection Commission\u2019s translation of its Data Protection Act into Hausa,\u00a0Igbo\u00a0and Yoruba\u2014paired with outreach roadshows\u2014served as an example of best\u2011practice public engagement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"A<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Supporting Regulators Through Dialogue and Capacity Building<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A closed\u2011door session brought together 16 attendees from Data Protection Authorities and industry representatives. Discussions explored implementation challenges faced by DPAs and telecommunications regulators, good regulatory practices, and opportunities for the GSMA to support broader advocacy. This includes strengthening coordination with telecommunications and financial regulators, law enforcement agencies and national ID authorities. The GSMA reiterated the importance of capacity building in areas such as mobile privacy, cybersecurity, AI, and children\u2019s privacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking Ahead to DPAS 2026<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The GSMA expressed its appreciation to the Africa Digital Rights Hub and partners for convening such an impactful summit. Building on the momentum from Accra, the GSMA will continue its engagement at the 2026 Data Protection Africa Summit in Nigeria. To continue the conversation, make sure to attend the 2026 GSMA Ministerial Programme<\/a> in Barcelona.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The 2025 Data Protection Africa Summit (DPAS), held in Accra and hosted by the Africa Digital Rights Hub, brought together more than 500 delegates from across the continent and beyond to explore the evolving landscape of data protection, digital rights, and regulatory innovation. The GSMA was proud to participate actively throughout the four\u2011day event, which […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":111,"featured_media":92523,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_oasis_is_in_workflow":0,"_oasis_original":0,"_oasis_task_priority":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1730,12184],"tags":[12191],"algolia_discover_type":[12147],"class_list":["post-96400","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-data-privacy","category-data-privacy-topic","tag-data-privacy","algolia_discover_type-article"],"yoast_head":"\nAdvancing smart data privacy across Africa: GSMA at the 2025 Data Protection Africa Summit in Accra - Public Policy<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/public-policy\/advancing-smart-data-privacy-across-africa-gsma-at-the-2025-data-protection-africa-summit-in-accra\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Advancing smart data privacy across Africa: GSMA at the 2025 Data Protection Africa Summit in Accra\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The 2025 Data Protection Africa Summit (DPAS), held in Accra and hosted by the Africa Digital Rights Hub, brought together more than 500 delegates from across the continent and beyond to explore the evolving landscape of data protection, digital rights, and regulatory innovation. 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