Data Governance in the Digital Age for Anglophone West Africa

This in-person workshop brings together senior policymakers, regulators, and technical experts from Anglophone West Africa to strengthen the region's data governance capacity in the digital age. Held in Banjul, The Gambia (9–11 March 2026), the 2.5-day workshop is convened by UNESCO and Smart Africa in collaboration with the Government of The Gambia. Participants will explore the African Union Data Policy Framework, the Smart Africa Data Governance Blueprint, and UNESCO's Data Governance Toolkit, translating high-level commitments into practical national strategies. Through peer learning, country self-assessments, and facilitated dialogue, delegates from The Gambia, Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Liberia will develop implementation roadmaps and strengthen a regional Community of Practice on data governance. By the end of the workshop, participants will have a shared understanding of rights-based data governance principles, tailored country-level action plans, and clear linkages between data governance, AI readiness, and inclusive digital transformation.