The city of Abuja is set to host key stakeholders in Africa’s data protection and economic sectors as the Nigeria Data Protection Act–Regional Africa Data Protection Platform (NADPA-RAPDP) Conference and Annual General Meeting convenes from May 6 to 8, 2025.
The high-profile event, scheduled to take place at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, will feature a series of plenary sessions, with particular attention drawn to Plenary Session 2, which explores the theme: Economic Growth and Privacy.
The session is expected to address the growing tension between the continent’s push for digital economic advancement and the increasing demand for the protection of personal data. As countries across Africa expand their digital economies, the question of how to ensure data privacy without stifling innovation has become a central policy concern.
Nigeria, which enacted its Data Protection Act in 2023, is leading efforts to harmonise regulatory frameworks across the continent. The NADPA-RAPDP platform is a strategic regional initiative aimed at fostering collaboration among African states on data governance, privacy rights, and digital trust.
Speaking ahead of the conference, organisers noted that this year’s forum will serve as a critical space for dialogue among policymakers, data protection authorities, legal experts, technology leaders, and civil society organisations. It will also feature high-level discussions on compliance standards, regulatory enforcement, digital rights, and the economic implications of data localisation policies.
The theme of Plenary Session 2 reflects the urgent need for African economies to design and implement robust data protection policies that both encourage investor confidence and protect individual liberties. According to industry analysts, the ability of African governments to strike this balance could significantly influence the continent’s competitiveness in the global digital economy.
Delegates from across Africa and beyond are expected to attend the event, which continues to grow in prominence as digital data becomes an indispensable asset in both governance and commerce. With the rapid integration of data-driven technologies in sectors such as banking, healthcare, education, and public administration, the discussions in Abuja are anticipated to shape future policy directions on the continent.
