Experts in data protection, cybersecurity, and digital policy from across Africa and beyond will meet in Accra this December for the 2025 Data Protection Africa Summit and PICCASO Awards Africa.

The event, organised by the Africa Digital Rights Hub (ADRH) in partnership with the Data Protection Commission of Ghana, will focus on how innovation can thrive alongside data privacy and security.

Scheduled to take place from December 1 to 4 at the Labadi Beach Hotel, the summit will run under the theme “Defining Africa’s Digital Future: From Consumerism to Partnership.”

According to a statement signed by the Executive Director of Africa Digital Rights Hub, Ms Teki Akuetteh, dated November 12, the event will bring together regulators, policymakers, industry leaders, civil society groups, researchers, and innovators to discuss Africa’s evolving data protection landscape.

“As our continent continues to experience rapid digital transformation driven by emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and big data analytics, the protection of personal information has become both a pressing challenge and a critical opportunity,” the statement said.

The summit will feature a series of masterclasses, expert panels, and networking sessions aimed at helping participants build capacity, share ideas, and explore solutions to data protection challenges across the continent.

“The 2025 Summit offers participants from Ghana and other parts of Africa a valuable opportunity to exchange knowledge, build partnerships, and gain fresh insights to enhance their professional growth,” ADRH noted.

A major highlight of the four-day event will be the PICCASO Awards Africa, an awards ceremony organised by PICCASO, a UK-based organisation, in collaboration with ADRH.

The awards will recognise and celebrate African excellence and innovation in data privacy, cybersecurity, compliance, and data ethics.

The organisers said the summit aims to “reinforce the urgent need to protect and safeguard personal data in this era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, while fostering an enabling environment for the responsible collection and use of personal data as a strategic resource for socio-economic development.”

Beyond the discussions, the summit will also serve as a networking platform for experts and institutions committed to advancing responsible and inclusive digital development across Africa.

“It will offer participants valuable opportunities to network, share knowledge, celebrate excellence, and strengthen collaboration to advance data protection across the continent,” the statement added.