Welcome to the Southern Africa Regional Workshop on Data Policy Harmonisation: Data Governance in the Digital Age.
Co-organised by UNESCO, Smart Africa, and the Government of Zimbabwe (MINICT/POTRAZ), this programme brings together senior policymakers, regulators, and technical experts from SADC Member States to advance inclusive, rights-based, and interoperable data governance frameworks across the region.
Programme Overview
- Pre-Assessment: Complete online before the preparatory webinar
- Preparatory Webinar: Introduction to UNESCO's Data Governance Toolkit - A Southern Africa Regional Workshop on Data Policy Harmonization: 21 July 2026, 14h00-16h00 GMT+2
- In-Person Workshop: 12-14 August 2026 | Harare, Zimbabwe
- Post-Questionnaire: Complete after the in-person workshop
Anchored in UNESCO's 4Ps Framework (Purpose, Principles, People, Practices), the programme applies a practical, peer-learning approach to translating high-level policy commitments into actionable national and regional strategies.
What you will gain
- A shared analytical framework for assessing and strengthening national data governance maturity
- Practical tools drawn from the African Union Data Policy Framework, the Smart Africa Data Governance Blueprint, and UNESCO's Data Governance Toolkit
- Peer exchange with counterparts across Southern Africa on cross-border data flows, AI readiness, and digital public goods
- Input into a co-developed regional roadmap for data policy harmonisation within the SADC framework
Who is this for? Senior policymakers, regulators, and technical experts from data protection authorities, ICT ministries, AI task forces, and digital transformation agencies across SADC Member States. Special attention is given to women, youth, and persons with disabilities.