Togo, Mali Data Regulators Sign Agreement on Cross-Border Data, AI

Togo’s Personal Data Protection Authority (IPDCP) and Mali’s Personal Data Protection Authority (APDP) formally signed an agreement on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, to enhance cooperation and facilitate the exchange of expertise in data protection. This bilateral accord aims to formalize collaboration between the two national regulatory bodies, specifically covering the exchange of information, cooperation in handling complaints, conducting compliance checks, and capacity-building initiatives for staff. Discussions leading to the agreement also encompassed critical areas such as cross-border data transfers, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and digital sovereignty, reflecting a proactive approach to addressing the challenges posed by the expansion of digital services and data flows across Africa. This initiative is part of Togo's broader strategy to strengthen its data protection framework, which has recently included training 32 data protection correspondents from various key sectors and digitizing procedures like online submissions for video surveillance declarations since March 2026.