By NOXOLO DLAMINI
PIGG’S PEAK – The Eswatini Data Protection Authority (EDPA) today joins data protection authorities and stakeholders across Africa in commemorating the inaugural Africa Data Protection Day, observed on 21 September 2026 under the theme, “Protecting Data, Building Trust, Powering Africa’s Digital Future.”
The continental observance seeks to highlight the importance of protecting personal information, strengthening privacy and data protection frameworks, and building public trust as Africa expands its digital economy. The theme places particular emphasis on turning commitments on data protection into practical measures that safeguard individuals and support trusted digital services.
The declaration of 21 September as Africa Data Protection Day was adopted during the 9th Network of African Data Protection Authorities (NADPA) Annual General Meeting in 2025, with the initiative officially endorsed in September 2026, according to the EDPA’s commemoration message.
For Eswatini, the commemoration comes as the country continues implementing its data protection framework. The Data Protection Act, 2022 establishes principles including lawfulness, fairness and transparency, purpose limitation, data minimisation, accuracy, storage limitation, and integrity and confidentiality.
The EDPA has also continued encouraging organisations that process personal information to comply with registration and other obligations under the country’s data protection law. In a 2025 notice, the Authority stated that more than 445 organisations, including government ministries, had registered with the EDPA at that time.
The Africa-wide focus also recognises the growing importance of cooperation among data protection authorities as personal information increasingly moves across national borders. Regional discussions have highlighted the need for practical cooperation, harmonised safeguards and stronger mechanisms for secure cross-border data transfers.
The EDPA is therefore calling for collective efforts to champion the protection of personal data and uphold the fundamental right to privacy, while strengthening trust in Africa’s rapidly developing digital environment.
The inaugural observance provides an opportunity for governments, regulators, businesses and citizens to reflect on their respective responsibilities in ensuring that Africa’s digital transformation is supported by responsible data practices and effective privacy safeguards.
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