Abidjan — May 26, 2026 — Nigeria has strengthened its regional data protection partnerships by signing new cooperation agreements with Morocco and The Gambia during the 2026 Network of African Data Protection Authorities (NADPA‑RAPDP) Conference held in Côte d’Ivoire. The accords aim to enhance cross‑border enforcement, information sharing, and coordination on privacy regulation as Africa’s digital economy continues to grow.
The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) signed Memorandums of Understanding with Morocco’s Commission Nationale de contrôle de la protection des Données à caractère Personnel (CNDP) and The Gambia’s Information Commission. The agreements establish frameworks for mutual legal assistance, regulatory cooperation, and joint enforcement of data protection laws across jurisdictions.
NDPC Chief Executive Officer Vincent Olatunji said the partnerships will strengthen trust and investor confidence within Africa’s digital markets, which are increasingly interconnected through fintech, cloud computing, and e‑commerce platforms.
The initiative aligns with broader efforts under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to harmonize digital trade and data transfer regulations. It also supports the African Union Convention on Cyber Security and Personal Data Protection (Malabo Convention), which guides regional digital governance.
Nigeria’s 2023 Data Protection Act established the NDPC as a dedicated privacy regulator overseeing compliance, cross‑border data transfers, and enforcement. Morocco and The Gambia have similarly advanced their national frameworks, reflecting Africa’s growing commitment to secure and transparent data management.
According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, more than 35 African countries now have data protection laws, compared with fewer than 15 a decade ago. The International Finance Corporation estimates Africa’s digital economy could contribute US $180 billion to continental GDP by 2025, underscoring the importance of coordinated data governance.
