The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR) is developing new continental guidelines on data access. The initiative, led by the Commission's Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa, aims to establish a framework for using data to advance human rights and sustainable development across the continent.
The call for contributions was officially launched in late 2025. The ACHPR is soliciting input from governments, civil society organizations, academia, the private sector, and other stakeholders to inform the drafting process. The guidelines are intended to address the intersection of digital technologies, data governance, and fundamental rights.
Once finalized, the "African Guidelines on Promoting and Harnessing Data Access" will provide recommendations for states on creating legal and policy environments that ensure data benefits society while protecting privacy and other rights. The project underscores the growing recognition of data as a critical tool for achieving the African Union's Agenda 2063 and the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.
