Greater regional cooperation and a renewed commitment to establishing robust data governance frameworks that support sustainable development and protect digital rights across the East African Community are needed.
This was the clarion call at the sidelines of the East Africa Community (EAC) Data Governance Conference 2025 during a roundtable discussion convened by KICTANet on the complex landscape of harmonizing data governance frameworks for regional integration.
The conference brought together professionals, policymakers, and stakeholders from Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania who engaged and helped address the pressing need for unified approaches to data sharing and responsible data use.
The roundtable, moderated by Ms Cherie Oyier Programs Officer-Women’s Digital Rights, KICTANet featured insights from Ms Mariam Jamal a Law and Public Policy professional, Ms Rosemary Kimwatu head of data protection at Kenya Commercial Bank Group, and Edrine Wanyama, an Advocate of the Courts of Judicature of the Republic of Uganda.
The discussion highlighted the challenges and opportunities in creating a unified approach to data governance, which is crucial for sustainable socio-economic development and regional integration.
Challenges in Harmonization
Wanyama pointed out that EAC countries are at different stages of adopting and implementing data protection and regulatory frameworks.
Some countries lack specific data protection laws, while others have varying institutional capacities to manage personal data. Political and cultural differences are also a challenge to cooperation and coordination within the region.
This disparity, coupled with differing institutional capacities and technological advancements, presents significant hurdles to regional alignment.
“Some of the countries do not have the laws. So while we’re talking about harmonization, if we are not on the same page if the different countries are not at the same level of progress, it becomes problematic,” noted Wanyama.
The Role of Data in Regional Development
The discussion also underscored the role of data in driving socio-economic development. Kimwatu emphasised that data can tell a compelling narrative about regional activities and aspirations, making it a foundational element for development.
According to Kimwatu, proper data governance structures are important for optimizing resource use, enhancing financial services, and boosting regional trade.
She articulated, “Data is the one thing that can tell our story, more than anything else, not even documentaries, but musicians as we like to keep I think data can tell a beautiful story about the things we do and what we want as a region, and data governance has to be like the building blocks for us to put all that together.”
Thus, the importance of viewing the digital economy as a tool for the region was discussed.
“Data is the one thing that can tell stories better than anything can” Rosemary Koech speaking at our first breakout session of the day convened by @KICTANet touching on harmonising #DataGovernance frameworks for regional integration in East Africa!#EADataGov #DataGov25 pic.twitter.com/gKOdqi9aAE
— Open Institute (@Open_Institute) February 27, 2025
Digital Rights and Future Frameworks
On digital rights, Jamal raised concerns about surveillance and migration. She questioned, “One of the rights that I’m particularly keen on is, what does that level of data sharing mean for surveillance, because this, this is not only at the Kenya level, for example, where people are already concerned about what their data is being used for by the Government. It means like across East Africa.”
“Because, for example, in East Africa, there are ways in which, in different protocols, that data migration is envisioned and cross-border data sharing is envisioned,” she added.
Further, the discussion included the need for proper infrastructure to support data localization.
Cross-border data transfer challenges were also brought to the forefront, particularly from the private sector perspective.
Kimwatu pointed out the difficulties posed by differing data localization requirements and the absence of standardized contractual clauses. She stated, “That’s, I keep saying, we have mongrels of nasty word. That’s exactly how you feel when you when you put to handle that, that that situation from a regional perspective.”
She also implored that “Again, we need to think as a region. We need to shake off our prejudices and ask, what do we gain as coming together from a data perspective, so that we can serve it better?”
Accountability and the Role of CSOs
The role of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in ensuring accountability was a key part of the discussion. Wanyama emphasised the necessity of clear governance structures and capacity building to empower CSOs in their oversight role.
“The aspects which relate to building capacity of the different players, including individuals and communities, can enhance better governance. It can enhance effective data management and account I think we’ve lost a dream of different systems that they are adopting or coming up with.”
“So leveraging technology across the domains would be an important way of ensuring that at least there’s a mechanism that taps into most of these sector players when we are speaking about transparency and accountability, information sharing and bringing in information that is very necessary for for moving forward in as Far As data governance is concerned.”
