Data governance has emerged as a central tenet for countries, not only to realise the benefits of digital revolution but also to mitigate the growing risks and threats that emanate from the digital space. Over the last decade, the number of African countries with at least a form of data protection/regulation policy has increased from 12 in 2012 to 36 in 2024. However, the national approach to data governance has its limits, particularly in African countries with low digital development and a high dominance of global digital platform firms.

Data has become the currency of progress and innovation. Yet, Africa finds itself at the crossroads of a data divide, restricting its economic growth and stifling its entrepreneurial spirit. This brief aims to ignite a transformative shift by providing actionable measures to bridge the data divide, empowering African small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to leverage the power of data for growth and prosperity.

Ending Gender-based Violence (GBV) as highlighted within SDG 5, aims to achieve gender equality and inclusion. Specifically, SDG 5.2 seeks to eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation . As a result, SDG 5 acknowledges that inclusion cannot be achieved until GBV is eliminated. In Nigeria, women have historically been the victims of various kinds of violence as a result of a patriarchal society and for them to achieve inclusion in society, we must first ensure that they are safe from violence and sexual assault.

This policy brief aims to outline the key considerations for developing artificial intelligence (AI) governance frameworks that promote transparency, accountability and confidence in AI systems across the African continent. AI is gaining some traction in African countries, as a means to drive socio-
economic development. Countries are recognising the potential of AI and as a result, are investing in research, innovation, and infrastructure to foster its growth.

This brief evaluates the current state of enabling institutions, policies, and citizen engagement, in fostering greater data value creation in the public sector. Based on our analysis of selected sub indicators from the World Bank’s GovTech Maturity Index (GTMI or the Index), we observe that while African countries are investing more in the digital transformation of their public sector, governments in the region have mainly focused on strengthening digital infrastructure to optimise public sector operations and service delivery, but have recorded mixed results in terms of the overall achievement of enabling institutions, policies and citizens’ involvement to harness the potential of public sector data.