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 session. This significant gathering brought together delegations from over thirty African and European nations, with twenty-four African countries represented, alongside international experts, private sector representatives, and specialized institutions. Minister of Digital Transition and Technological Innovation, Djibril Ouattara, presided over the opening ceremony, inaugurating working sessions focused on the pressing challenges presented by artificial intelligence, digital platforms, and biometric data across the African continent.
At the heart of this pivotal meeting is the anticipated adoption of the Abidjan Declaration 2026-2030. This crucial strategic document aims to establish major guidelines for digital governance in Africa, coinciding with the renewal of the network’s leadership. Amadou Hiro, President of the RAPDP, underscored the necessity for collective mobilization to forge genuine digital sovereignty, built upon robust cooperation among states. Minister Ouattara, for his part, highlighted the conference’s theme, “Regulating without hindering innovation,” urging participants to define a balanced regulatory framework. This framework, specifically tailored to African realities, seeks to safeguard citizens while simultaneously fostering technological advancement and the burgeoning digital economy in Africa.
During the opening addresses, Roger Félix Adom, President of the Regulatory Council of the Telecommunications/ICT Regulatory Authority (ARTCI), emphasized the profound human and security dimensions inherent in data management. He articulated that personal data protection transcends mere technical or legal considerations, directly impacting individual privacy, dignity, freedom, and the public’s trust in state actions. Adom further clarified that regulation should not act as an impediment but rather as a protective structure, actively encouraging innovation within the dynamic digital ecosystem.
To illustrate effective compliance strategies, authorities showcased Côte d’Ivoire’s progress in regulatory development. The nation’s journey includes the enactment of the law on personal data on June 19, 2013, the launch of public awareness campaigns starting in 2015, the execution of conformity checks in 2022, and the implementation of simplified standards. The year 2026 marks another milestone with the establishment of a national registry for data protection correspondents. This initiative reflects the shared ambition of African regulators to present a united front in navigating the rapid global technological shifts and ensuring robust data protection across the continent.