Kenya will be the first country in Africa to integrate its data protection infrastructure with the European Union.

Speaking at the ongoing ninth Network of African Data Protection Authorities (NADPA-RAPDP) Annual General Meeting (AGM), European Deputy Ambassador Ondrej Simek hailed Kenya for the steps taken so far to enhance data protection.

"Data is an essential resource for economic growth, competitiveness, innovation, job creation and societal progress in general. Kenya has taken major steps to secure data. There is noted progress towards exchanging data with EU member steps,'' Simek said. 

According to him, data protection is not merely a technical or legal issue but a fundamental prerequisite for upholding democracy, fostering economic growth, and safeguarding individual rights.

"This is a lesson we have learned in Europe and we stand ready to support the East African region, and the African continent as a whole, on its journey towards a responsible and citizen-centered approach to personal data protection."

The principal secretary of the State Department for ICT and Digital Economy John Tanui who told the Star that the progress is at an advanced stage, echoed his sentiments.

"Kenya has been very intentional in protecting data. It approved a data protection law in 2019, which complies with European Union legal standards as it looks to bolster investment in its information technology sector. We now have a fully-fledged commission to support this,'' Tanui said.

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) that was adopted by member states of the European Union (EU) in 2016 and currently stands as the gold standard in data protection regulations largely influenced Kenya’s data laws.

He added that data is key in trade and the collaboration between the country and the region will activate the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) signed in December to boost trade in goods and create new economic opportunities.

"The ability to move data seamlessly and globally is supporting new business models, spurring research and development, facilitating international collaboration, and transforming international trade."