United in their desire to equip policymakers with the necessary skills to harness the opportunities and challenges of data, the Datasphere Initiative and the African Parliamentary Network on Internet Governance (APNIG) have announced a partnership.
Agenda 2063, the Digital Transformation Strategy (DTSA), and the Data Policy Framework declare that all Africans should have the opportunity to be included in the digital economy and benefit from datafication and there is a growing understanding across the region that data governance will be key to shaping Africa’s digital future and it’s capacity to address pressing global challenges.
“We are delighted to have the African Parliamentary Network on Internet Governance join the Datasphere Initiative in our efforts to responsibly unlock the value of data for all. Parliamentarians have an important role to play in shaping policy efforts and bringing understanding and local nuance to data policy development,” said Martin Hullin, Deputy Executive Director, Datasphere Initiative.
The Datasphere Initiative and the African Parliamentary Network on Internet Governance will collaborate across a range of policy and outreach activities across the region, a keen focus in 2023 will be on the Africa Forum on Sandboxes for Data. A new initiative launched by the Datasphere Initiative will invite local, regional, and global experts to explore the ways in which regulatory and operational sandboxes could facilitate responsible data flows and exchange. The project will include self-paced learning modules & certification will be developed to equip policymakers and in particular Parliamentarians on data policy issues.
“APNIG is delighted to join the Datasphere Initiative. It’s increasingly important that parliamentarians engage in data governance discussion on new technical and policy innovations. In Africa and beyond, dialogue and common action to reap the opportunity and address the challenges is essential.” Neema Lugangira, Chair, African Parliamentary Network on Internet Governance
