The Strategic Leap of Unifying Data Governance Frameworks in Africa
As Mozambique moves toward its first National Data Governance Policy, an inclusive, participatory reform process is showing how aligning national frameworks with the African Union Data Policy Framework can unlock safer data sharing and stronger data-driven development.
Across Africa, fragmented data landscapes, where information remains siloed across ministries and institutions have long limited the effective use of data. Valuable information often goes underutilised, undermining service delivery, national planning and evidence-based policymaking.
To address these challenges, several African countries, including Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, The Gambia, Lesotho, Mozambiqu, Sierra Leone and South Africa have been working with the Data Governance in Africa Initiative to strengthen their national data governance frameworks. Central to this effort is alignment with the African Union Data Policy Framework (AU DPF), which provides shared principles to guide responsible, secure and development-oriented data governance across the continent.
The process of consolidating national data governance frameworks in these countries has been marked by an inclusive and participatory approach. Public institutions, technical experts, development partners and non-state actors have been brought together to ensure that emerging frameworks reflect diverse perspectives and practical realities, while building shared ownership of the reforms.
Mozambique offers a clear example of this approach in practice. Beginning in July 2025, the country’s data governance reform process combined capacity-building activities with structured multi-stakeholder engagement. These efforts strengthened collective understanding of data governance concepts and enabled stakeholders to jointly deliberate on the content of Mozambique’s first National Data Governance Policy and Strategy. The focus was on promoting safer data sharing, clarifying institutional roles and unlocking the value of data for the public good.
The process culminated in December 2025 with a final validation workshop, marking a key milestone in Mozambique’s efforts to establish a coherent, nationally owned data governance framework aligned with continental standards.
Together, these country experiences demonstrate a strategic shift across Africa: from fragmented and siloed data systems toward unified governance frameworks that enable coordination, trust and responsible data use. By aligning national policies with the AU Data Policy Framework, African countries are laying the foundations for data-driven development that supports effective governance, innovation and regional integration.