The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with the data protection authorities of Morocco and The Gambia, marking a significant step toward stronger cross-border cooperation on data governance, privacy protection, and regulatory enforcement across Africa.
The agreements were signed during the 2026 Network of African Data Protection Authorities (NADPA-RAPDP) Conference and Annual General Meeting in Abidjan. Through the partnerships, the three countries aim to improve mutual legal assistance, facilitate information sharing, and promote knowledge exchange to strengthen the enforcement of data protection laws across their jurisdictions.
Speaking on the development, NDPC National Commissioner and CEO, Vincent Olatunji, emphasized that closer regulatory collaboration is essential in an increasingly interconnected digital economy. According to the Commission, stronger cooperation among African data protection authorities will help build trust in digital services, improve compliance standards, and enhance investor confidence in the continent’s growing digital markets.
The MoUs were signed with Morocco’s Commission Nationale de contrôle de la protection des Données à caractère Personnel and the Gambia Information Commission. The initiative reflects a broader push toward harmonizing data protection frameworks across Africa as governments seek to support digital trade, innovation, and secure cross-border data flows.
As African economies become increasingly digitized, businesses, governments, and consumers are generating and transferring larger volumes of data across borders. However, differences in national data protection regulations can create compliance challenges and hinder regional digital integration. Strengthening cooperation between regulators can help create more consistent standards, improve enforcement mechanisms, and foster greater confidence in Africa’s digital economy.
