Africa Digital Rights Hub

One Platform. Two Powerful Outcomes. Africa’s digital future depends on one critical factor: TRUST. This year, the Data Protection Africa Summit and the Picasso Awards Africa come together again, bringing policy dialogue and innovation recognition onto one powerful continental platform. One gathering. Two powerful outcomes. • Conversations shaping Africa’s digital policy landscape • Recognition of the innovators advancing digital rights and responsible technology Convened by Africa Digital Rights Hub, this platform connects regulators, policymakers, innovators, and civil society working to build a trusted digital future for Africa. More conversations. More collaboration. More impact. Follow this page as we begin sharing conversations, insights, and stories shaping Africa’s digital future, and opportunities to partner with and support this growing movement.

A great Data Protection Officer doesn't just tick compliance boxes; they shift mindsets, influence leadership, and make privacy a business priority. Know someone doing exactly that? The Most Outstanding DPO category at PICCASO Awards Africa 2026 was made for them. Put their name forward and let their work speak for itself. Nominate now: piccasoawardsafrica.com #ADRH #DPAS2026 #PICCASOAwards #PICCASOAwardsAfrica #PICCASOAfrica2026 #DataPrivacyAfrica #NominateNow #DigitalAfrica #AfricaInnovates #ExcellenceInPrivacy

At NADPA 2026 in Abidjan, the Africa Digital Rights Hub, in collaboration with Prism Institute, Professor Christopher Hodges OBE, Meta, and GSMA, convened critical discussions on Outcome-Based Regulatory Systems (OBCRS), responsible data sharing, scam disruption, privacy-by-design approaches, and cross-border data flows across Africa’s evolving digital ecosystem. As scams and digital fraud become increasingly sophisticated, stronger partnerships and smarter, outcome-based regulatory approaches will be key to protecting users while supporting innovation and digital growth across Africa. We are grateful to all our partners and speakers for contributing to these important conversations and helping shape the future of data governance in Africa #ADRH #NADPA2026 #DataProtection #DigitalRights #Africa #Privacy #DataGovernance #DigitalTransformation

Behind every privacy-first organisation is a team doing the hard work quietly, consistently, brilliantly. The Data Protection / Privacy Team of the Year award shines a light on those teams. Whether they've overhauled data handling, navigated tough regulatory demands, or built a privacy programme from scratch, this one's for them. Nominate a deserving team: piccasoawardsafrica.com #ADRH #DPAS2026 #PICCASOAwards #PICCASOAwardsAfrica #PICCASOAfrica2026 #DataPrivacyAfrica #NominateNow #DigitalAfrica #AfricaInnovates #ExcellenceInPrivacy

Someone out there is just five years into their career and already turning heads. The PICCASO Awards Africa 2026 Rising Star category is for them. If you know an emerging voice in Privacy, Compliance, InfoSec, or Data Ethics who's making waves before most people even find their footing, we want to hear about them. Submit your nomination → piccasoawardsafrica.com #ADRH #DPAS2026 #PICCASOAwards #PICCASOAwardsAfrica #PICCASOAfrica2026 #DataPrivacyAfrica #NominateNow #DigitalAfrica #AfricaInnovates #ExcellenceInPrivacy

Here are the official categories for the PICCASO Awards Africa 2026. From Rising Star to Responsible AI Leadership, these awards celebrate the people and organisations advancing privacy, cybersecurity, and data governance in Africa. Submit your nomination → piccasoawardsafrica.com #ADRH #DPAS2026 #PICCASOAwards #PICCASOAwardsAfrica #PICCASOAfrica2026 #DataPrivacyAfrica #NominateNow #DigitalAfrica #AfricaInnovates #ExcellenceInPrivacy

The inaugural Big Tech Accountability (BTA) Summit in Africa is happening in Uganda under the theme "Big Tech, Data Governance, and Competition Policy in Africa’s Digital Economy." The summit will drive actionable insights, support regulatory harmonisation, and shape sustainable digital market policies that protect citizens, empower businesses, and foster innovation across Africa. To be part of this, partnerships and sponsorships are warmly welcome. Email: bta@adlegalug.com #BTASummit2026

Nominations are officially OPEN for the PICCASO Awards Africa 2026! Celebrate excellence in data privacy, cybersecurity, compliance, and ethical innovation across Africa. Submit your nominations today and help us spotlight the changemakers shaping Africa's digital future. Submit Your Nominations: piccasoawardsafrica2026.typeform.com/to/i4D3Zwj6 #ADRH #DPAS2026 #PICCASOAwards #PICCASOAwardsAfrica #PICCASOAfrica2026 #DataPrivacyAfrica #NominateNow #DigitalAfrica #AfricaInnovates #ExcellenceInPrivacy

The inaugural Big Tech Accountability Summit 2026 is taking place in Kampala, Uganda. Under the theme “Big Tech, Data Governance, and Competition Policy in Africa’s Digital Economy,” the summit will bring together key stakeholders to explore practical and sustainable approaches to digital market regulation across Africa. As conversations around data protection, platform accountability, competition, and digital rights continue to shape Africa’s digital future, collaborative platforms like the BTA Summit are essential for building policies that protect citizens, empower businesses, and foster innovation. We look forward to contributing to the conversations driving accountable technology governance and a more inclusive digital ecosystem across the continent. 📍 Kampala, Uganda #BTASummit2026 #DigitalRights #DataGovernance #BigTech #CompetitionPolicy #AfricaDigitalEconomy #DigitalPolicy #ADRH

As Africa’s digital economy continues to grow, building trust, protecting personal data, and enabling responsible innovation must go hand in hand. At the upcoming NADPA 2026 in Abidjan, the Africa Digital Rights Hub, in collaboration with the Prism Institute, Professor Chris Hodges, Meta and GSMA, will convene discussions on Outcome-Based Regulatory Systems (OBCRS), responsible data sharing, scam disruption, and privacy-by-design approaches for the digital ecosystem. As scams and digital fraud become more sophisticated, stronger collaboration between regulators, telecom operators, financial institutions, and ecosystem partners is essential to protect users while supporting innovation across Africa. Want to know more? Read the latest blog. gsma.com/solutions-and-…

The wait is over. Data Protection Africa Summit 2026 officially lands in Lagos, Nigeria 🇳🇬 📍 Lagos Continental Hotel 📅 3 – 6 November 2026 🎯 Theme: Strengthening Data Protection Through Strategic Partnerships Four days. One destination. Africa's most powerful data protection conversation. From masterclasses and policy roundtables to the prestigious PICCASO Awards Africa Dinner — DPAS 2026 brings together regulators, innovators, policymakers, and privacy professionals to shape the continent's digital future. Organized by the Africa Digital Rights Hub (ADRH) in collaboration with PICCASO and the @ndpcngr 🔗 Register Now: dataprotectionafrica.org #ADRH #DPAS2026 #LaunchDay #DataProtectionAfrica #Nigeria🇳🇬 #DigitalAfrica #PICCASOAwardsAfrica #NDPC #DataPrivacy

Africa’s digital transformation is accelerating — but trust must grow with it. From AI innovation to expanding digital economies, strong data protection and digital rights frameworks are essential to building safe and inclusive digital societies. Through platforms like Data Protection Africa Summit and the PICCASO Awards Africa, convened by Africa Digital Rights Hub and PICCASO, stakeholders across the continent are working together to shape a trusted digital future. #ADRH #DigitalRights #ResponsibleAI #DigitalGovernance #DPAS26 #PiccasoAwardsAfrica

Conversations shaping Africa’s digital future begin here. #ADRH #DigitalRights #ResponsibleAI #DigitalGovernance #DPAS26 #PiccasoAwardsAfrica

Our Executive Director, Ms. Teki Akuetteh, is a speaker at the 3i Africa Summit 2026, The Next Frontier: Shaping Africa’s Integrated FinTech Future. As Africa’s digital economy grows, so does the need for strong data protection, digital rights, and accountability frameworks and Ms Teki has been at the forefront of that conversation. 📅 6th–8th May, 2026 📍 Destiny Arena, Accra–Ghana We look forward to the insights, connections, and bold ideas that will emerge from this landmark summit. Africa’s digital future must be inclusive, rights-respecting, and people-centred and ADRH remains committed to championing that vision. #ADRH #3iAfrica2026 | #ConnectedAfrica | #DigitalRights | #DataProtection | #FinTech

This International Workers’ Day, we recognize the millions of Africans working in the digital economy — from developers and entrepreneurs to platform workers and innovators. As Africa’s digital economy grows, protecting data rights, privacy, and digital trust becomes essential to building fair and responsible digital workplaces. At Africa Digital Rights Hub, we believe strong data protection frameworks empower innovation while protecting people. That is why platforms like the Data Protection Africa Summit and the PICCASO Awards Africa matter. #ADRH #DigitalRights #ResponsibleAI #DigitalGovernance #DPAS26 #PiccasoAwardsAfrica

We are proud to be powering Session 1 at the inaugural Africa Big Tech Accountability Summit (BTA Summit), taking place 30–31 July 2026 in Kampala, Uganda. Our own Dr. Patricia Boshe, Head of Research and Publications at ADRH, will lead the opening session on a topic at the heart of our work: "Navigating African Data Protection Enforcement: Big Tech Perspectives on Compliance, Investigations, and Cross-Border Operations". The session will bring together Big Tech companies, African regulators, legal practitioners, and academics to examine how platforms operating across borders can be held meaningfully accountable under Africa's growing data protection frameworks. To find out more: lnkd.in/dfd4hEar #BTASummit2026 | #AfricaDigitalRights | #DataProtection | #BigTechAccountability | #AdLegal | #ADRH

🏷️ You are starting a business. The name you picked sounds a lot like a well-known brand. Maybe it's intentional. Maybe it's a coincidence. Either way, the law has something to say about it. Brand names exist to help customers identify and trust a business. When your name is too similar to an established one, people may assume you're connected, affiliated, or even endorsed by them. That confusion? It's exactly what Trademark law is designed to prevent. A Trademark protects brand names, logos, and identities — and gives the original owner the right to stop others from creating that kind of mix-up in the marketplace. Before you launch, ask yourself: → Could customers mistake my brand for another? → Is the name I want already registered? → Am I borrowing someone else's reputation? Building a business is hard work. Build it on a name that's truly yours. #ADRH #IPWeek2026 #Trademark #BrandProtection #StartupAfrica #AfricanBusiness #KnowYourRights

🎵 You hear a banger. You download it. You send it to 5 WhatsApp groups immediately. But here is something worth knowing... When an artist creates a song, they automatically own the rights to control how it is copied and shared. The moment you download that file and forward it, you are making new copies and distributing their work outside the platforms they approved. You might not be selling the song. But mass sharing still bypasses the systems that pay the creator. This is Copyright — and it gives artists control over who copies and shares their work. 💡 Love the music? Support it the right way: → Stream it on approved platforms → Share the link, not the file → Buy the track if it's available The vibe hits different when the artist gets paid for it. #ADRH #IPWeek2026 #Copyright #MusicRights #AfricanMusic #SupportArtists #ADRH #AfricaDigitalRightsHub #KnowYourRights #StreamDontShare #Afrobeats

You need a flyer for your business. You search Google, find a beautiful image, download it, and use it. Seems harmless, right? Not quite. ❌ That image belongs to someone — a photographer, a designer, a creative who put time and skill into making it. They have the right to decide where and how their work is used. Using it for your business without permission means you're benefiting from their creativity without their approval. This is Copyright — and it protects creative works like photos, illustrations, and designs. ✅ What you can do instead: → Use free-to-use platforms. → Purchase a license for the image → Credit the creator if the license requires it → Commission original work Your business deserves original content. So do creators. 💡 #IPWeek2026 #Copyright #KnowYourRights #IntellectualProperty #ADRH #AfricaDigitalRightsHub #ProtectCreators #AfricanCreatives #DigitalRightsAfrica