The African Union Commission has launched a four-day validation workshop in Addis Ababa to finalise three major continental data governance frameworks — Data Categorisation & Sharing, Cross-Border Data Flows, and the Continental Open Data Strategy. Running from 1–4 December 2025, the workshop marks a key step in implementing the AU Data Policy Framework and advancing Africa’s goal of establishing a secure Digital Single Market by 2030.
In opening remarks, Souhila Amazouz, Officer in Charge of the Information Society Division, emphasised that data has become “the bedrock of Africa’s digital transformation and economic future.” She noted that the frameworks will help Member States responsibly and ethically manage data, ensuring fair representation and broad economic benefit across the continent.
Africa stands to unlock significant opportunity through digitalisation, innovation and the operationalisation of the African Continental Free Trade Area, with the continent’s data centre market projected to reach USD 3.85 billion by 2030. The draft frameworks aim to harmonise fragmented regulations, strengthen cross-border trust mechanisms and enable a unified, secure and innovation-driven data ecosystem.
The Data Categorisation & Sharing Framework introduces common standards for protecting sensitive and critical data while enabling responsible access. The Cross-Border Data Flow Framework outlines mechanisms for secure, seamless data exchange that support the AfCFTA’s ambitions and strengthen Africa’s digital trade capabilities. The Open Data Strategy guides Member States in building transparent, efficient and innovation-friendly public data systems that unlock economic and social value and support the growth of advanced AI in Africa.
Amazouz highlighted Africa’s youthful population and fast technology adoption as key strengths, noting that data-driven innovation could contribute up to USD 712 billion to the continent’s economy by 2030. She also underscored the political commitment shown through the 2022 adoption of the AU Data Policy Framework.
The workshop is supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and the European Union under the Data Governance in Africa Initiative, jointly implemented with AUDA-NEPAD and the German Development Cooperation. Speaking at the opening session, Dr. Tobias Thiel of GIZ reiterated support for advancing a trusted, interoperable and rights-respecting African data ecosystem.
Outcomes from the workshop will shape the final frameworks and prepare them for submission to AU policy organs for formal adoption.
