The pandemic drove home the high value of personal data to the global economy, while also highlighting its vulnerability to abuse and attack. In response, governments around the world, including those in Africa, have been reviewing their data privacy and protection laws and regulations. The protection of data in Africa is broadly covered by the Convention of the African Union on Cybersecurity and Personal Data (2014) which has been ratified by only a small number of the 55 African Union members.
To highlight data security and privacy laws and developments that are already in place, or in progress, in Africa, our new Africa Data Security and Privacy Guide outlines information on country-specific data privacy and security laws in 11 countries in Africa – Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Morocco, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Togo, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
The guide covers legal developments around data privacy and security at a domestic level, itemizing the various country-specific laws, both in place and in progress, in each of these 11 countries. It provides a comparative overview of the similarities and differences of the laws, including how the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulations have impacted the development of data privacy law in each jurisdiction. The guide also provides commentary from each of the country specialists on the importance of implementing laws around data privacy and security protection across the continent.
Janet is a partner and head of the TMT industry group for the Johannesburg office. She has extensive expertise in the Telecommunication and Information technology sector, as well as the Media, Broadcasting and Entertainment industry.
Anne-Marie Allgrove is a partner in the Sydney office of Baker McKenzie. She is also the Global Chair of the Firm’s Technology, Media and Telecommunications Industry Group and Practice Group and is recognised in both Chambers and The Legal 500 as a leading individual.
Kellie is is based in the Dubai office of Habib Al Mulla & Partners, a member firm of Baker & McKenzie International. An experienced technology and privacy lawyer, she has been advising local and multinational businesses and public institutions in the UAE since 2012.
Ghada El Ehwany is a counsel in Baker McKenzie Habib Al Mulla's UAE Corporate practice. Based in Dubai since 2013 and as Knowledge Manager of the UAE offices since 2014, Ghada was formerly a senior associate at Baker McKenzie’s Cairo office, Helmy, Hamza & Partners, for many years. Ghada is recognized in her field in Chambers (Egypt). She is active across a wide range of financing transactions, and was part of a team advising IFC on the financing of an expansion for Galaxy Chemicals Egypt. Ranked as "Up and Coming" in Banking & Finance and "Associates to Watch," She is also recognized by clients and peers alike for her negotiation skills and dedication to client service.
Brian Hengesbaugh is Chair of the Firm's Global Data Privacy and Security Business Unit, a Member of the Firm's Global IP Tech Steering Committee, and a Member of the Firm's Financial Institutions' Group. Brian is listed in The Legal 500 Hall of Fame and was recognized as a Regulatory & Compliance Trailblazer by the National Law Journal. He is also listed as a Leading Lawyer for Cyber law (including data protection and privacy) in The Legal 500 and is listed in Chambers. Formerly Special Counsel to the General Counsel of the US Department of Commerce, Brian played a key role in the development and implementation of the US Government’s domestic and international policy in the area of privacy and electronic commerce. In particular, he served on the core team that negotiated the US-EU Safe Harbor Privacy Arrangement (Safe Harbor), and earned a Medal Award from the US Department of Commerce for this service. In addition, Brian participated on behalf of the United States in the development of a draft Council of Europe Treaty on Cyber Crime, and in the negotiation of a draft Hague Convention on Jurisdiction and the Recognition of Foreign Judgments. Brian has been quoted in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Forbes, CNET, Slate Magazine, Compliance Weekly, BNA Bloomberg, PCWorld and other news publications on global privacy and security issues.
Theo Ling heads Baker McKenzie's Canadian Information Technology/Communications practice and is a member of the Firm's Global IP/Technology Practice Group, and Technology, Media & Telecoms and Financial Institutions Industry Groups.
Theo is ranked by several legal directories, including Chambers Canada, where he is described as "a knowledgeable technology lawyer, with a practical, 'can-do' attitude who is excellent at getting things done."
Named by the Financial Times as one of the Top Ten Most Innovative Lawyers in North America, Theo founded the legal industry's first global legal innovation lab focused on multidisciplinary collaboration and serves on the Firm's Global Innovation Committee.
Carlos is a partner in Baker McKenzie's Information Technology and Communications Practice Group in Mexico City, and the head of the Firm's Technology, Media and Telecommunications (TMT) Industry Group in Mexico. A Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM) by the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP), and an award winner of national accolades on digital transformation and legal innovation, Carlos is recognized by Chambers and Partners, Legal 500 and other international publications as one of the country's leading TMT lawyers. Carlos' strong specialization and multidisciplinary consultancy background (prior to joining Baker McKenzie, he led the TMT legal practice of PwC) and superior legal tech law knowledge, are the foundation of Carlos' unique vision and problem-solving skills, which allows Carlos to assist clients to identify and address corporate, commercial, technical, compliance, tax, regulatory, strategy, expansion and policy issues that arise in different phases of complex technology projects.
