The ninth international conference of the African Network of Personal Data Protection Authorities (RAPDP) commenced on Monday, May 18, 2026, in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, for a four-day duration. This significant gathering convenes delegates from over thirty nations across Africa and Europe, including twenty-four African delegations, alongside international experts, private sector representatives, and specialized institutions. Djibril Ouattara, the Minister of Digital Transition and Technological Innovation, presided over the opening ceremony, signaling the start of intensive working sessions dedicated to navigating the complexities surrounding artificial intelligence, digital platforms, and biometric data across the continent.
A central objective of this pivotal meeting is the endorsement of the Abidjan Declaration 2026-2030, a strategic blueprint designed to establish key directions for digital governance in Africa. This initiative coincides with the renewal of the network’s leadership bodies. Amadou Hiro, President of the RAPDP, issued a collective call to action, urging collaborative efforts to forge genuine digital sovereignty rooted in inter-state cooperation. The Minister, for his part, emphasized that the event’s theme, “Regulating without impeding innovation,” challenges stakeholders to define the parameters of balanced regulation. Such a framework must be tailored to African realities, effectively safeguarding citizens while fostering technological advancement.
During the opening addresses, Roger Félix Adom, President of the Regulatory Council of the Telecommunications/ICT Regulatory Authority (ARTCI), underscored the critical human and security dimensions inherent in data management. He articulated that personal data protection extends beyond mere technical or legal frameworks; it directly impacts privacy, dignity, individual liberties, and public trust in government actions. Adom clarified that regulation should not act as a barrier but rather as a protective structure, actively promoting innovation within the vibrant digital ecosystem.
To highlight practical compliance efforts, authorities detailed Côte d’Ivoire’s progress in this regulatory domain. The nation’s journey includes the enactment of the June 19, 2013, law on personal data, the launch of public awareness campaigns starting in 2015, compliance audits conducted in 2022, and the implementation of simplified standards. The year 2026 marks another significant milestone with the establishment of a national registry for data protection correspondents. This initiative reflects the shared ambition of African regulators to present a unified front amidst global technological shifts.
