UNESCO Supports Southern Africa to Harmonise Data Governance

Southern Africa is taking steps towards more harmonised data governance as countries seek to overcome fragmented frameworks, capacity gaps and uneven levels of policy maturity that can constrain cross-border data flows, regional integration and readiness for artificial intelligence (AI).

To help address these challenges, UNESCO, Smart Africa and Zimbabwe's Ministry of ICT, Postal and Courier Services convened policymakers, regulators and technical experts from across Southern Africa for a regional capacity-building workshop on data governance.

The workshop focused on UNESCO's Data Governance Toolkit: Navigating Data in the Digital Age, which provides practical guidance to governments and organisations seeking to strengthen data governance and translate policy principles into effective institutional practices.

Data governance experts from Botswana, Comoros, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mauritius, South Africa and Zimbabwe exchanged national experiences, undertook self-assessments and worked together towards a roadmap for greater harmonisation of data governance frameworks across the region.

Participants included senior policymakers, regulators and technical experts from ICT ministries, AI structures and data protection authorities.