Global data protection specialist Patricia Adusei-Poku has underscored the urgent need for African countries to strengthen their commitment to robust data governance frameworks to advance digital transformation and improve policy effectiveness.
Adusei-Poku, former Executive Director and Commissioner for Data Protection and Privacy in Ghana, noted that inconsistent levels of commitment among countries remain a major obstacle to regional digital initiatives such as Smart Africa.
She called for the adoption of unified national data management systems, urging public institutions to standardize data formats to enhance interoperability, streamline innovation, and ensure smoother integration across platforms.
Adusei-Poku also warned of the risks associated with cross-border data flows, particularly unauthorized access and misuse, if countries receiving data do not uphold strong protection standards. She emphasized the need for clear information-sharing agreements and standardized tools to mitigate these risks.
