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The Data Governance in Africa Initiative, a 3.5-year program, aims to foster a development-oriented and human-centric data economy and society in Africa. Part of a broader strategic partnership between the African Union and European Union on Digital Cooperation, it’s a key component of the Joint AU-EU Vision for sustainable economic growth.


Funded jointly by the European Union, Germany, and Finland, with additional expertise and contributions from Belgium, Estonia, and France through their development agencies (Enabel, ESTDEV, & Expertise France), the initiative unites the African Union, the European Union, and five European Member States to achieve the following three objectives:

Data policy and regulation

  • Enhanced Harmonization and Monitoring: We strengthen mechanisms to harmonize and monitor the progress of data strategies, policies, and regulations at both continental and regional levels.
  • Robust Data Governance Instruments: We develop or update strong, comprehensive, and harmonized data governance instruments to ensure effective management and utilization of data resources.
  • Empowered Stakeholders: We build the capacity of regional and national stakeholders, enabling them to independently develop, adopt, oversee, and monitor the progress of data governance frameworks.​

Data value creation and cross border data flows

  • Cross-Border Data Flows: We facilitate seamless cross-border data flows and enhance the utilization of data, fostering collaboration and innovation across regions.
  • Innovative Regulatory Approaches: We develop and test innovative regulatory approaches to improve data use and sharing, ensuring compliance and maximizing the benefits of data-driven initiatives.
  • Capacity Building for Data-Driven Innovations: We enhance the capacity of multiple stakeholders to scale up data-driven Digital Social Innovations (DSIs), empowering them to access, analyze, and utilize data effectively for value creation and societal impact.

Data Infrastructure facility

  • Improving Investment Environment: Enhancing the enabling environment for investments in African data infrastructure to stimulate economic growth and innovation.
  • Identifying Investment Opportunities: Identifying investment opportunities for green and secure data infrastructure projects in priority regions to drive sustainable development and resilience.
  • Facilitating Financing: Facilitating the acceptance of bankable investment opportunities for green and secure data infrastructure projects by financiers, fostering partnerships and catalyzing investment flows for impactful projects.