The President of Mali's Autorité de protection des données à caractère personnel (APDP), Pr Mamoudou Samassékou, participated in Togo's first National Day for Personal Data Protection in Lomé on October 29, 2026. The event, organized by Togo's Instance de protection des données à caractère personnel (IPDCP), brought together African authorities and digital sector stakeholders to discuss data protection and digital sovereignty in Africa. This was an opportunity for Mali to share its experience in data governance and privacy protection.
During the event, Pr Samassékou presented Mali's approach to data governance and emphasized the importance of digital trust. He highlighted that digital trust is crucial for developing a high-performing economy while ensuring citizens' rights are protected. The presentation showcased Mali's efforts to establish a robust data protection framework, aligning with international best practices. This sharing of expertise aims to foster cooperation and collaboration among African countries in addressing common challenges related to digital sovereignty.
The participation of Mali's APDP in Togo's National Day for Personal Data Protection follows a visit by Togo's IPDCP to Bamako a few weeks earlier. The visit led to the signing of a cooperation protocol between the two institutions, outlining areas of collaboration, including experience sharing, complaint handling, conformity checks, and agent training. This agreement demonstrates the commitment of both countries to work together in promoting data protection and digital sovereignty in Africa.
The event in Lomé brought together several African authorities and digital sector stakeholders, all sharing a common goal of promoting data protection and digital sovereignty. Participants acknowledged the significance of cooperation in addressing emerging challenges, such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cross-border data transfers, and digital sovereignty. They emphasized the need for African countries to work together to develop effective solutions to these challenges.
The theme of the event, "Data Protection and Digital Sovereignty in Africa," underscores the growing importance of these issues on the continent. As African countries increasingly adopt digital technologies, ensuring the protection of personal data and promoting digital sovereignty have become critical priorities. The sharing of expertise and best practices, as seen in the collaboration between Mali and Togo, is essential in addressing these challenges.
Key to the success of this collaboration is the emphasis on building digital trust. By establishing robust data protection frameworks and promoting digital trust, African countries can create an environment conducive to economic growth and development. This, in turn, will help to ensure that the benefits of digitalization are equitably distributed, while protecting citizens' rights and freedoms.
The cooperation between Mali and Togo serves as a model for other African countries to follow. By working together and sharing expertise, African countries can develop effective solutions to the challenges related to digital sovereignty and data protection. This will ultimately contribute to the development of a robust and sustainable digital economy in Africa, one that prioritizes the protection of personal data and promotes digital trust.
Key points
- Mali's data protection authority shares expertise on digital sovereignty at Togo's National Day for Personal Data Protection.
- The cooperation between Mali and Togo aims to promote data protection and digital sovereignty in Africa.
- Building digital trust is crucial for developing a high-performing economy while ensuring citizens' rights are protected.
