Data Market Development and Integration
The Eastern Africa Regional Digital Integration Project (EARDIP) is a World Bank financed series of projects aimed at advancing digital market integration in Eastern Africa by enhancing cross-border broadband connectivity, data flows and digital trade. The EAC initiative consists of 4 components, including Component 2: Data Market Development and Integration. Within this, the EAC leads Sub-components 2.1 and 2.2 which aim to enhance cross-border data flows while ensuring robust cybersecurity and data protection frameworks as well as compliance with international regulations and best practices.
The activities under this component seek to unlock the full potential of a data-driven single market by harmonising policies, strengthening digital trust, and facilitating seamless data exchange.
Current Status
The EAC region has experienced rapid digital transformation, leading to increased data generation, processing, and exchange. Data is the backbone of how we share information, conduct business, and enable services like digital payments and e-commerce. A thriving digital economy calls for a strong, secure and trusted data market. In the case of the region, fragmented regulatory frameworks, inconsistent data protection laws, and cybersecurity vulnerabilities continue to constrain cross-border data flows. While some Partner States have enacted data protection legislation, regional harmonisation remains a work in progress.
Cyber threats are escalating at an ever-increasing rate, with a continuous surge in cyber incidents, malicious attacks, data breaches, identity theft, and financial fraud. Both governments and private sector players recognise the urgency of strengthening cybersecurity measures and building resilient digital infrastructures to support secure data markets.
The growing adoption of cloud computing, artificial intelligence, big data analytics and other emerging technologies further highlights the necessity of robust cybersecurity and data governance frameworks.
The region faces significant challenges in cybersecurity and data protection due to disparities in national cybersecurity policies, weak enforcement mechanisms, and the absence of a unified regional data protection framework. To address these issues, the region has initiated preparations for a regional cybersecurity coordination platform alongside ongoing consultations for the development of regional data protection instruments.
Investments in cybersecurity coordination mechanisms and infrastructure, policy advisory, harmonised data protection frameworks, and capacity building aim to bridge these gaps, fostering a safer, trusted and more integrated data market in the region.