Data policy in practice: Workshop promotes regional cooperation

On September 24, 2025, the Data Economy Initiative led a practical training session that demonstrated how data policy can be translated into concrete regulatory measures. Participants from ministries and regional organisations of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) took the opportunity to discuss joint approaches to regional cooperation and data-driven innovation.

Prof Chux Daniels (University of Sussex & University of Pretoria), Dr Stephanie Arnold (Data Economy Initiative, GIZ), and Kwena Mabitsela (DTC South Africa, GIZ) presented data regulation instruments, including data sharing agreements. In working groups, participants discussed cross-border challenges such as online gambling and explored joint solutions for harmonising regulations and better data access.

The feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive. “It was a real eye-opener,” said one delegate. Others emphasised the importance of regional cooperation and simplified regulatory pathways to support new technologies.

The training took place as part of a multi-day workshop organised by Team Europe’s Data Governance in Africa Action in Antananarivo, Madagascar, which was attended by over 50 delegates from the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the Southern African Telecommunications Association (SATA), the  Southern African Postal Operators Association (SAPOA), and the Communications Regulators’ Association of Southern Africa (CRASA).