Democratic Republic of Congo’s Capacity-Building and Validation Workshops on the National Data Governance Strategy

Background

The rapid pace of digital transformation across Africa presents immense opportunities but also significant challenges, particularly concerning data governance. While the continent generates vast amounts of data from mobile, financial, and online sources, much of this data is processed outside Africa, limiting its potential to drive domestic innovation, economic growth, and evidence-based policymaking. The current data governance landscape in Africa remains fragmented, with varying levels of regulatory maturity, leaving many countries vulnerable to privacy violations, data misuse, and cyber threats.

Recognizing these challenges, continental instruments such as the African Union (AU) Digital Transformation Strategy (2020–2030), the AU Data Policy Framework (AUDPF), and the Malabo Convention on Cybersecurity and Personal Data Protection provide guiding principles for Member States to develop coherent and secure data ecosystems. However, the effective domestication and implementation of these frameworks at the national level require dedicated efforts, institutional coordination, and sustained capacity-building.

In this context, the Technology, Innovation, Connectivity, and Infrastructure Division (TICID) of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) plays a pivotal role in strengthening Member States’ institutional and technical capacities to localize and operationalize these frameworks. Through the Data Governance in Africa initiative, implemented with the support of GIZ and the EU Delegation Fund, ECA supports African countries in assessing their data governance ecosystems, designing national strategies, and developing inclusive and actionable implementation roadmaps.

Democratic Republic of the Congo

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is one of the countries actively engaged in the current phase of ECA’s data governance support, alongside Burundi, Mozambique, and Tanzania. The DRC has shown strong leadership and commitment to advancing its national data governance agenda through the elaboration of its National Data Governance Strategy (Stratégie Nationale de Gouvernance des Données – SNGD), developed in close collaboration with ECA and GIZ.

The engagements in Kinshasa from November 11 to 13, 2025, comprise two key components:

Capacity-Building Sessions for Decision-Makers on Data Governance (November 11–12, 2025), aimed at deepening understanding of data governance principles, frameworks, and emerging issues.
Validation Workshop of the National Data Governance Strategy (November 13, 2025), dedicated to the formal adoption of the National Data Governance Strategy by key ministries, agencies, and national partners.

These sessions build upon prior consultations and technical work, bringing together senior decision-makers, policymakers, regulators, and technical experts from across sectors to ensure that the National Data Governance Strategy reflects national priorities and is aligned with continental and global standards.

Objectives

Strengthen institutional and policy capacity for data governance and digital policy development.
Promote a shared understanding of data as a public good and a strategic asset for national development.
Facilitate inter-institutional coordination and stakeholder dialogue on emerging data governance issues, including gender, AI ethics, and cross-border data flows.
Validate the National Data Governance Strategy and define a roadmap for its implementation.

Institutional Collaboration

The engagement is coordinated under the leadership of the Ministry of Digital Economy (Ministère de l’Économie Numérique), with active participation from key ministries and public agencies including the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Higher Education (ESU), the General Directorates of Customs and Excise (DGDA), Administrative, Judicial, and State Revenue (DGRAD), and Taxes (DGI), as well as the Regulatory Authority of Posts and Telecommunications (ARPTC), the National Office for Population Identification (ONIP), REGIDESO SA, the Prime Minister’s Office (Primature), the Société Congolaise de Fibre Optique (SOCOF), and other national entities. Academic institutions such as ISIPA and Université Protestante du Congo (UPC), along with the National Commission on Communication (CNC) and GIZ as a partner institution, are also contributing to this collaborative effort. This multi-stakeholder engagement underscores the DRC’s commitment to establishing a trusted, inclusive, and forward-looking data ecosystem.

Event Outcomes

A validated and nationally endorsed National Data Governance Strategy for the DRC.
A comprehensive implementation roadmap with measurable performance indicators.
Enhanced institutional and technical capacities among decision-makers and implementers.
A strengthened multi-stakeholder ecosystem for data governance, promoting collaboration between government, academia, and development partners.

Documents

Relevant Continental Frameworks