The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) was represented by Ms Ibukunoluwa Owa, Head of the Regulations Unit, and Mr Ariwoola Martins of the Information Technology Department, at the Africa Data Leadership Initiative (ADLI) 2025 Workshop and Study Tour, organised by the Digital Impact Alliance (DIAL), Smart Africa, and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), in Cape Town, South Africa.

Over three days, participants engaged with leading experts on cross-border data transfers, verifiable credentials, data protection, open finance, and the implementation of continental frameworks. Contributors came from Smart Africa, Research ICT Africa, DIAL, IDEA, South Africa’s DCDT, Cenfri, FinMark Trust, and other institutions, bringing diverse regional and sectoral perspectives to every discussion.

A key highlight was a field visit to the Western Cape Government Klapmuts eCentre, where participants experienced design-led thinking in practice. The visit demonstrated the building of digital services with communities, showcased the Digital Government Model Framework, and inspired people-centred approaches to Digital Public Infrastructure across diverse national contexts within African governments.

The cohort’s efforts culminated with country teams working intensively on 24-month roadmaps, presenting their strategic plans for achieving effective data governance in their respective nations. The programme included experts from Nigeria, Eswatini, and Tanzania, fostering a vital space for peer learning and the exchange of practical experiences to strengthen data governance across the continent, with the NDPC contributing positively by highlighting the importance of data protection in building digital systems and sustainable Digital Public Infrastructure.