ABUJA, Nigeria May 6-8th – The Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC) participated in the Network of African Data Protection Authorities (NADPA) Conference and Annual General Meeting, a key regional event that brought together data protection authorities and stakeholders from across the continent.
The conference provided a platform for discussing emerging data protection trends, cross-border data flows, digital innovation, and collaborative approaches to strengthening data governance in Africa.
The conference was officially opened by His Excellency, the Vice President of the FederalRepublic of Nigeria, Kashim Shettima, GCON, represented by Senator Ibrahim Hadeja, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President. In her role as Vice President of NADPA-RADPA, Data Commissioner Immaculate Kassait delivered opening remarks on behalf of President, Iro Adamou.
The event featured keynotes, panel discussions, breakout sessions, two fireside chats, and master classes, all addressing various objectives across five subthemes. Additionally, the conference hosted the NADPA-RAPDP Annual General Meeting (AGM) where Tanzania and Somalia were welcomed as new members.
During the conference, delegates explored common challenges and shared best practices to enhance the implementation of data protection frameworks across member states. Some of the key issued discussed included the need to balance economic growth with privacy concerns.
The Data Commissioner in her remarks reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to regional cooperation and the advancement of data privacy rights.
“This meeting reinforces the importance of aligning national data protection strategies with global standards while responding to Africa-specific realities. Participation in NADPA activities continues to position Kenya as a proactive player in shaping the future of data protection and digital trust on the continent,” she said.
As part of the Conference sub theme, the Principal Data Protection Officer, Compliance Boniface Gathee Conducted a master class on Data Protection in the Age of AI and Large Language Models.
The masterclass introduced attendees to key data protection issues in the context of AI technology development and deployment with a focus on Large Language Models, as well as emerging developments in the area of data protection enforcement vis-a-vis AI systems.
He drew on international case studies of data protection enforcement against AI services and companies to provide a practical perspective on the possibilities for regulatory activity. The Master class also gave the Kenya’s experience on the AI landscape.
