Background
Africa's digital transformation is generating unprecedented volumes of data, creating new opportunities for innovation, public service delivery and economic development. Yet fragmented regulatory frameworks, limited interoperability, varying levels of digital infrastructure and uneven institutional capacity continue to constrain the ability of countries to securely share and derive value from data across borders.
These challenges are particularly significant in the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), where digital transformation is advancing at different speeds across Member States. While countries are developing digital public services and national data governance frameworks, regional approaches to data governance and cross-border data flows remain limited. This fragmentation can reduce regulatory predictability, constrain regional digital integration and limit the development of shared digital infrastructure and services.
The African Union Data Policy Framework calls for stronger regional coordination to translate continental data governance principles into harmonized approaches. In this context, ECCAS is developing a Regional Data Governance Framework designed to promote greater regulatory alignment, facilitate trusted cross-border data flows, strengthen data sovereignty and contribute to a more integrated regional digital economy.
The regional engagement in Douala brings together designated focal points and key stakeholders from ECCAS Member States to strengthen their understanding of data governance, review and contribute to the draft regional framework, share national experiences and build consensus around the proposed Regional Data Governance Framework and its implementation roadmap. The programme will also examine the proposed monitoring and evaluation system and implementation roadmap, supporting a coordinated and effective approach to advancing data governance across the ECCAS region.
The five-day engagement is structured around three interconnected components, moving from knowledge-building and regional dialogue to implementation and accountability:
1. Regional Capacity Building Workshop | 31 August 2026
The opening day will strengthen participants' understanding of the foundations of data governance and the African Union Data Policy Framework. Discussions will explore data as a driver of value creation, fundamental data infrastructure, standardization, categorization and interoperability, institutional arrangements, and approaches to data access, control, protection, security and portability.
2. Regional Stakeholder Engagement Workshop | 1–2 September 2026
The two-day stakeholder engagement will move from assessment to collective action. Participants will examine the state of data governance across the ECCAS region and within Member States, review the methodology and components of the proposed Regional Data Governance Framework, and work collectively on its key pillars. The engagement will also consider the proposed implementation plan and risk register, enabling stakeholders to identify practical measures, institutional responsibilities and potential risks associated with operationalizing the regional framework.
3. Capacity-Building Workshop on the Monitoring and Evaluation System for the Data Policy Framework (DPF) | 3–4 September 2026
The final two days will focus on strengthening the capacity of ECCAS Member States to monitor progress under the AU Data Policy Framework. Participants will be introduced to the proposed monitoring and evaluation system, theory of change, strategic indicators and data collection tools, followed by practical exercises using KoboToolbox. The second day will focus on validation processes, data quality, visualization and benchmarking through Power BI dashboards, equipping participants with practical tools to track and assess progress in implementing data governance priorities.
Objectives
The regional engagement aims to:
- Strengthen understanding of data governance principles and the AU Data Policy Framework among ECCAS Member States.
- Review regional and national data governance landscapes and identify areas requiring greater coordination and harmonization.
- Facilitate stakeholder contributions to the ECCAS Regional Data Governance Framework.
- Build consensus around regional priorities, implementation arrangements and risk mitigation measures.
- Strengthen approaches to cross-border data flows, interoperability and trusted data-sharing.
- Equip regional and national focal points with practical tools for monitoring and evaluating implementation of the AU Data Policy Framework.
- Support a coordinated and sustainable approach to data governance across the ECCAS region.
Expected Results
The engagement is expected to contribute to:
- A strengthened shared understanding of data governance priorities across the ECCAS region.
- Consolidated stakeholder inputs to the proposed Regional Data Governance Framework.
- Greater alignment between national data governance approaches and regional priorities.
- A clearer implementation roadmap and risk management approach for the regional framework.
- Strengthened capacity to monitor, assess and report progress against data governance commitments.
- Enhanced regional coordination towards trusted and secure cross-border data flows.
A Regional Approach to Data Governance
The initiative goes beyond establishing another policy instrument. It seeks to create a common regional approach through which ECCAS Member States can better coordinate national data governance systems, facilitate trusted cross-border data flows and translate continental principles into practical regional mechanisms.
Documents
- Concept Note and Agenda [Français]
Relevant Continental and Regional Frameworks
