Countries in Africa are realizing the need to implement data and privacy protection legislation and invest in it as a result of the continent’s massive internet user base of about 600 million people. According to estimates from the Internet Society, a non-profit advocacy organization, more than 17 African nations have implemented extensive personal data privacy legislation. Moreover, as of 2021, 33 countries had enacted legislation guaranteeing data and privacy protection, as reported by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.
Isa Pantami, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy of Nigeria made his remarks during the 2023 Global Data Privacy Week in Abuja, stating that the Nigeria Data Protection Bureau (NDPB) had made significant investments in personnel in order to increase capacity. According to him, the NDPB has been responsible for the creation of a large number of jobs, the worth of which currently equals N5.5 billion ($12 million). Between 2019 and 2022, over ten African countries passed a bill reinforcing data protection and privacy protection.
Faster adoption of data protection policy as commenced.
Tanzania has become the most recent African country to approve the Personal Data Protection Legislation and form its Data Protection Commission in November 2022. Countries such as South Africa, Uganda, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Togo, Botswana, and Ghana have been at the forefront of privacy and data protection policy laws. In addition to measures taken on a national level, regional economies and blocs that have policies to protect privacy. In 2010, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) enacted the SADC Model Law on Data Protection that it had modelled.
Moreover, some regional bloc-level laws aimed at protecting data and privacy include the EAC Framework for Cyber legislation (2008) and the ECOWAS Supplementary Act A/SA.1/01/10 on Personal Data Protection (2010). On the other hand, Algeria Law No. 18-07, which provided the legal structure for the collection, processing, utilization, and disclosure of personal data in connection with data processing operations, was just recently enacted. In order to ensure safe online surfing, more regulations and policies are required, as some of the listed countries have relatively high vulnerability levels. To guarantee lasting security, Muller emphasizes the use of anti-malware solutions and the adoption of security procedures.
Cyberattacks surged on ICS computers globally by 40% in 2022.
Brandon Muller, a tech specialist and consultant for the African region at Kaspersky, discusses how African governments may improve, particularly in preventing industrial cybersecurity attacks, despite recent legislative changes. Kaspersky predicts that 47% of occurrences would occur in Africa, and Muller reports that in 2022, 40% of ICS computers worldwide were infected with malware. The foundation of economic growth is actualized in the use of industrial control systems for manufacturing, preparation, product handling, output, and distribution.
According to the Kaspersky report, Ethiopia (62%), Algeria (59%), and Burundi (57%) had the largest rate of cyber attacks on their industrial control systems in the past year. In addition to these, the countries of Rwanda (46%), Kenya (41%), Nigeria (40%), Zimbabwe (40%), Ghana (39%), Zambia (38%), South Africa (36%), and Uganda (36%) are also involved. However, these nations are making strides to strengthen their data protection infrastructure. Also, Ethiopia is getting closer to enacting the Data Protection Declaration, which will set up a Personal Data Protection Commission.
Human error also plays its part in infiltrating ICS systems.
Muller points out that all it required for cybercriminals to breach an isolated ICS network is a single infected USB drive or phishing email. Muller states human error still plays a major role in infiltrating ICS systems, even though some virus sources remain sophisticated, especially in advanced systems. The African Union Convention on Cyber Security and Personal Data Protection provides a general framework for this, and Africa is making efforts to stay within it. In their 2018 report titled “Personal Data Protection Guidelines for Africa,” the African Union and Internet Security advocate establishing confidence, anonymity, and appropriate use of personal data, government commitment and engagement, and multi-sectorial methods.
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Data Privacy Policy adoption rises in Africa. – As internet usage increases, many African nations now invest in data privacy. – Express your point of view.
Data Privacy Policy adoption rises in Africa. Data increase in africa. A lot of people are making use of data now. To access internet we need data for other things
Currently worth N5.5 billion ($12 million), the NDPB has created many jobs. Over ten African countries passed data and privacy protection laws between 2019 and 2022.
The Personal Data Protection Legislation and the Data Protection Commission in Tanzania are the most recent examples of such developments on the African continent.
Africa is making strides on enacting and funding data and privacy protection legislation. Across the continent, governments are beginning to see the value in enacting and funding data and privacy protection legislation.
The Nigeria Data Protection Bureau (NDPB) had made major investments in staff in order to strengthen the bureau’s overall capacity.
A process called the annual peer review is carried out in Nigeria with the goal of enhancing Nigeria’s national security, economy, and governance, as well as reducing instances of corruption.
It’s fantastic that Tanzania, the last African country to do so, finally passed Personal Data Protection Legislation in November 2022 and established its Data Protection Commission.
Many country’s are seeing the usefulness in data privacy and now investing more it in to benefit from it well people make use of data much to access internet
In terms of passing and funding data and privacy protection legislation, Africa is making progress. Governments on the continent are coming around to the idea that protecting citizens’ personal information is a priority and are passing and funding appropriate legislation to that end.
the African Union and Internet Security advocate establishing confidence, anonymity, and appropriate use of personal data, government commitment and engagement, and multi-sectorial methods.
actions conducted on the national level, as well as those taken by regional economies and economic blocs that have privacy protection regulations
To guarantee lasting security, emphasizes should be made about the use of anti-malware solutions and the adoption of security procedures.
The number of Africa country that are using the internet is on the increase. There is the need to have Data Privacy Policy which will be adopted in Africa.
The number of people in Africa using the internet is on the rise thereby exposing more people to Cyber theft and terrorism necessitate the need for data privacy and protection.Now Data Privacy Policy adoption is on the rise in Africa.
There has been significant growth in Africa. Most continental governments now recognize the importance of enacting and adequately funding legislation to safeguard the personal information of their citizens.
The majority of governments on continental areas now understand the significance of establishing legislation to protect their residents’ personal information and sufficiently finance the implementation of such legislation.
Muller advocates the usage of anti-malware programs and the adoption of security practices as ways to ensure long-term security.
In Nigeria, a procedure known as the annual peer review is carried out with the intention of improving the country’s national security, economy, and governance as well as lowering the incidence of corruption.
Our information technology system is also expanding. This is why Africans are now taking data protection seriously. It is a good thing to know
This is absolutely needed