Kenya to host the ninth annual NADPA meeting

Data Commissioner Immaculate Kassait. [Boniface Okendo,Standard]

Kenya is set to hold the ninth Network of African Data Protection Authorities (NADPA) Annual General Meeting (AGM) from May 7 to 9.

Kenya won the bid last year May to host the event that is anticipated to bring together over 700 delegates from 25 countries.

Addressing the media in a meeting on April 29, John Tanui, Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Information, and Communications said that the conference will provide a unique platform to highlight challenges and opportunities presented in the digital transformation journey.

“This meeting will present us the opportunity to demonstrate Kenya’s unwavering commitment to data protection, foster collaboration among African data protection authorities, and advance regional cooperations,” said Tanui.

The PS said the opportunity to host the two-day event strategically positions the country in data protection conversation in the continent.

“The conference reinforces Nairobi's position as a global hub for discussion on data governance and digital advancement,” he noted.

He added that the event will help discuss data protection with advancing technology including Artificial Intelligence, blockchain, and internet security.

Elaborating more about the forthcoming conference, data commissioner Immaculate Kassait said it will bring in different stakeholders to share advancing trends in personal data protection skills.

“The conference will be able to strengthen data protection, build partnerships with the private sector, and civil society, and come up with a framework to harmonize data flow across Africa to spur regional trade and strengthen best practices,” said Kassait.

She said the event will provide an opportunity for information exchange encouraging members of the Fourth Estate to attend and participate in various sessions.

The theme for the 2024 NADPA- RADPD conference is "Promoting regional data governance for Digital transformation”.

NADPA since it was operationalized in Kenya in 2020 serves as a unifying platform for African privacy and data protection authorities from different regions.