Nigeria is strengthening its data privacy landscape through a strategic collaboration with Mastercard, while Uganda pursues ambitious plans to build a leading artificial intelligence (AI) hub, underscoring West Africa’s growing commitment to advancing technology and digital trust across the region.

In Nigeria, the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has partnered with Mastercard to enhance data privacy across the country’s fast-expanding digital economy. The initiative includes the onboarding of all Mastercard employees in Nigeria onto the NDPC’s Virtual Privacy Academy (VPA), a comprehensive training program focused on personal data governance, cybersecurity hygiene, and compliance with Nigeria’s Data Protection Act (NDPA) of 2023.

Mark Elliott, Mastercard’s Division President for Africa, highlighted the importance of this partnership, stating, “Privacy is not just a compliance requirement; it’s a core pillar of digital trust. By enrolling all our Nigerian staff in the NDPC Virtual Privacy Academy, we are embedding privacy awareness into the fabric of our operations and supporting Nigeria’s digital rights agenda.” The program also extends to Mastercard’s vendors and partners to widen the circle of accountability in handling consumers’ data responsibly.

The collaboration follows a successful workshop earlier in 2025 where over 150 data protection officers from various sectors were trained on Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIA), which help organisations identify and mitigate risks related to personal data processing. NDPC’s National Commissioner, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, remarked, “The Virtual Privacy Academy will play a critical role in empowering professionals with the knowledge and confidence to uphold ethical data practices in a rapidly evolving digital world.” The initiative addresses Nigeria’s urgent need to combat rising data breach incidents, which surged by 64% in early 2023, by fostering a culture of compliance and safeguarding consumer trust.

Meanwhile, Uganda is spearheading a continental push towards AI innovation by establishing an AI hub aimed at positioning the country as a technology nucleus in East Africa. The government has unveiled plans to invest in AI research, infrastructure, and education to cultivate local talent and attract global tech companies interested in AI development and deployment. This move aligns with a broader vision to harness AI’s transformative potential for economic growth, healthcare, agriculture, and governance.

West Africa’s push to enhance data privacy frameworks concurrently with East Africa’s AI ambitions highlights Africa’s multi-dimensional approach to building a competitive digital economy, emphasizing both security and innovation.

For Nigerians, stronger data privacy promises safer digital transactions and trust in fintech services that have become essential in everyday life. The Mastercard-NDPC partnership reflects growing corporate responsibility to abide by local laws while championing consumer rights in an era where data is a prized asset.

Looking forward, experts suggest this collaboration can serve as a model for other African countries seeking to balance the benefits of digital transformation with robust privacy protections. Uganda’s AI hub complements this vision by showcasing Africa’s readiness to lead in next-generation technologies through strategic government and private-sector alliances.

As digital economies expand continent-wide, West and East African nations are positioning themselves to reap the benefits of technology-driven growth while laying the groundwork for ethical, inclusive, and sustainable digital futures.