With technology advancing and data becoming key for decision making, East Africa is in need of a strong governance framework to balance the use of data with privacy, ethics, and security. To address this, the Open Institute in collaboration with Amnesty International Kenya will be hosting the East Africa Data Governance Conference on November 26-27, 2024. This event will unite key stakeholders from different part of the world to discuss data governance and strengthen regional collaboration.

Why Data Governance in East Africa?
In most East African countries, data strategies and governance frameworks are either lacking or underdeveloped. Even where they do exist, they are often incomplete, fragmented, or conflict with other laws, such as those protecting individual rights.
Recognising these challenges, we, in collaboration with governments, are taking action. We are supporting the diligent work being done to establish legal frameworks that protect personal data. Countries such as Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania have already enacted comprehensive data protection laws, ensuring citizens’ rights are safeguarded while promoting responsible data use. However, more East African nations must join this effort.
Kenya’s Data Protection Act (2019), Uganda’s Data Protection and Privacy Act (2019), and Tanzania’s Data Protection Act (2022) provide clear guidelines on how personal data should be collected, processed, and stored. Despite these advancements, a unified approach across the East African Community (EAC) is still needed to strengthen citizen protection and enhance regional cooperation.
About the Conference
The East African Data Governance Conference is all about bringing people together to share ideas and learn from each other on this key issue. This event will connect policymakers, civil society organisations, academics, and data experts to talk about the challenges and opportunities we face in the East African region. It will also spark important conversations, where participants can share their experiences, learn new things, and explore fresh ideas that could help shape the future of data governance. It’s a space where everyone’s voice matters, and together, we can find the best way forward.
Our visit to Rwanda really highlighted the need for a shared approach to data governance across East Africa. At the ‘Innovate Africa Symposium’ in Kigali, we had some great conversations about how data is driving growth across the continent. There was so much excitement in the room, with everyone agreeing on one thing: Africa’s data revolution cannot happen without strong governance.

We also hosted a virtual workshop on “Data Governance for Regional Integration,” bringing together 12 civil society organisations from Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. The workshop showed how important it is to build skills in data governance and how committed we are to creating a unified approach that takes into account the unique challenges of the region.
These events are just a few examples of our work, including continued collaborations with county governments on data governance. From all these experiences, it’s clear that we need to come together, share ideas, and find creative solutions to shape the future of data governance in East Africa. And what better time than now to bring together experts from over 8 countries, not just from East Africa, but also from South Africa, Singapore, USA, and the Dominican Republic, to make this conference even more impactful.
As we look forward to the conference…
We remain dedicated to leading discussions and pushing for a unified data governance framework in East Africa. After the event, we will keep the momentum going by engaging stakeholders in capacity-building initiatives, especially targeting non-state actors in the region.

These ongoing conversations will look at current frameworks and pinpoint areas for improvement to ensure that our data governance systems are effective and meet the needs of East African citizens.
Our aim is to create a data governance landscape that not only safeguards citizens’ digital rights but also encourages economic growth through regional integration and innovation. By bringing together diverse voices and expertise, the East Africa Data Governance Conference will be a crucial step in shaping a data-driven future for the East African Community (EAC).
We can’t wait to see you at the East Africa Data Governance Conference!
For more updates, be sure to visit our conference website. Remember, your voice matters. Together, we can build a strong framework that protects digital rights and fosters economic growth in East Africa.