African Regulators Share Practical Wisdom at DPO Africa Network Webinar

On May 14, 2025, the DPO Africa Network hosted an engaging and insightful session, “Data Protection in Practice: Real Talk with Regulators.” This African data protection webinar, moderated by Komborerai Allan Manenji of Zimbabwe, brought together a distinguished panel of data privacy regulators from across the continent: Tsitsi Mariwo (Zimbabwe), Daniel Chiwoni (Malawi), Adamma Isamade (Nigeria), and Lindokuhle Sibandze (Eswatini). The event attracted Data Protection Officers Africa-wide and beyond, all eager to explore the evolving landscape of data protection laws Africa is embracing.

Zimbabwe: Building Capacity and Professionalism

Tsitsi Mariwo, Zimbabwe’s inaugural Data Protection Authority director, emphasized the importance of building a critical mass of trained Data Protection Officers (DPOs). She highlighted Zimbabwe’s pioneering DPO training Africa initiative, developed to address the shortage of skilled professionals able to implement the country’s Cyber and Data Protection Act. Mariwo outlined the multifaceted skills required of today’s DPOs, including deep legal knowledge of data protection laws Africa, strong communication and training abilities, analytical thinking, and management skills. She also stressed the importance of ethics, adaptability, and a willingness to “speak truth to power,” noting that DPOs play a strategic role in ensuring organizational compliance and fostering a culture of African data privacy governance.

Malawi: New Frontiers and Early Challenges

Daniel Chiwoni, head of Malawi’s data protection authority, provided a candid look at the data protection challenges Africa faces, especially in countries where regulation is in its infancy. With Malawi’s data protection law enacted only in 2024, Chiwoni noted that awareness and understanding remain low among both organizations and DPOs. He identified limited training opportunities and a general unfamiliarity with DPO compliance Africa requirements as key hurdles. Chiwoni called for ongoing engagement between data privacy regulators Africa and industry, emphasizing the need for data protection capacity building Africa and peer learning as Malawi’s ecosystem develops.

Nigeria: Contextualizing Compliance for Africa

Adamma Isamade, head of the legal unit at Nigeria’s Data Protection Commission, brought a pan-African perspective to the discussion. She celebrated the opportunity for African DPOs to connect, share experiences, and address the unique data protection challenges Africa faces. Isamade underscored the importance of adapting global standards to local contexts and championed sector-wide engagement to ensure practical, actionable DPO compliance Africa. She highlighted Nigeria’s leadership in hosting the recent Network of Africa Data Protection Authorities and encouraged DPOs to “own the narrative,” ensuring that the continent’s needs and realities are addressed through collaboration and innovation.

Eswatini: Advocacy, Enforcement, and Community Learning

Lindokuhle Sibandze, a DPO focused on advocacy and compliance in Eswatini, offered a passionate perspective on the importance of community learning and practical guidance. She described Eswatini’s journey as one of both challenge and opportunity, with a strong emphasis on driving registration, enforcement, and sector-specific support. Sibandze highlighted the need for DPOs to be approachable educators within their organizations, helping colleagues understand not only the “how” but also the “why” of African data protection. She emphasized that DPOs must be adaptable, empathetic, and proactive—serving as both compliance champions and trusted advisors. Sibandze’s remarks reinforced the value of peer-to-peer learning, regional collaboration, and the creation of a supportive professional community to navigate African data privacy governance.

Key Takeaways and the Road Ahead

Throughout the session, panelists agreed that the role of the DPO in Africa is both complex and vital. Success requires a blend of legal expertise, communication skills, ethical leadership, and a commitment to continuous learning. Regional collaboration and local context are essential, as is the need to build strong professional networks and support systems for DPOs at all stages of their careers.

As Africa’s data protection frameworks continue to mature, the DPO Africa Network remains at the forefront of data protection capacity building Africa, advocacy, and knowledge sharing.

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Don’t miss out—watch the full African data protection webinar for more insights and inspiration:
https://www.dpoafrica.net/sessions/Data-Protection-in-Practice-Webinar-68100c45634c961a14dcf5be