The Internet & Jurisdiction Policy Network held a session at the ninth edition of the annual Forum on Internet Freedom in Africa (FIFAfrica22) which took place in Lusaka, Zambia between September 28-29 2022.
The session encouraged participants to participate in the data collection for the Internet & Jurisdiction Policy Network Cross-border Digital Policies for Africa Project which seeks to map and showcase legal and technical approaches to cross-border digital policies across the continent.
The event also facilitated a discussion with Hon. Neema Kichiki Lugangira of the Parliament of Tanzania about how to drive inclusive digital policymaking in Africa and in particular how to bring members of parliament into the debate.
“The Data Protection Act will protect in-country data covering collection, use, storage, but with regional, continental global integration promotion; how then do we handle Cross-Border Data Flow?” posed Hon. Neema Kichiki Lugangira.
The discussion highlighted the need for transparent and inclusive exchange between policymakers and why a copy-and-paste approach to digital policymaking in Africa won't work. "It's important to make sure in any act we develop it's in adherence to the fundamental norms and values in our constitutions", said Hon Neema Lugangira.
Following the data collection, a key outcome of the Internet & Jurisdiction Policy Network Cross-border Digital Policies for Africa Project will be the Internet & Jurisdiction Policy Network Regional Status Report "Framing, Mapping and Addressing Cross-Border Digital Policies in Africa", which will map and showcase legal and technical approaches to cross-border digital policies. The report is being prepared by a team at Research ICT Africa (RIA).
The Internet & Jurisdiction Policy Network Cross-border Digital Policies for Africa Project seeks to leverage existing networks of actors to frame, map and address cross-border digital policy issues across Africa. The project aims to help policymakers understand the cross-border dimensions of digital policy approaches and their effects.
Watch this video to learn more about the project and how you can get involved!
