International Privacy Day 2026: Why Privacy Is Africa’s Democratic Imperative in the Age of Data, AI, and Surveillance
Posted: 28 January, 2026 Filed under: Hlengiwe Dube | Tags: Access to Information, African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and sustainable development, data protection authorities, democratic governance, digital age, digital infrastructure, Digital Transformation Strategy For Africa, dignity, e-government systems, freedom of expression, Guidelines for Integrating Data Provisions into Protocols on Digital Trade, human dignity, international human rights framework, International Privacy Day, Malabo Convention, private life, public participation, The Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa 1 Comment
Author: Hlengiwe Dube
Senior digital rights and policy expert
Each year, International Privacy Day invites reflection on the protection of personal data, particularly as the world becomes increasingly digitised. In Africa, this reflection takes on renewed and specific urgency. Governments, corporations, international agencies, and other actors are accelerating digital transformation, through biometric identity systems, AI-driven public services, fintech platforms, and expanding surveillance infrastructures, among other initiatives. Consequently, privacy is emerging as a technical concern and at the same time, a core democratic and human rights imperative.
Privacy underpins freedom of expression, access to information, public participation, human dignity, and other human rights. This understanding is firmly embedded in the African and international human rights framework. Although the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights does not explicitly reference privacy, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) has consistently interpreted the Charter as protecting private life, dignity, and personal autonomy. In the digital age, these protections take on renewed and enhanced significance.
Nigeria’s national symbols are sitting on a powder keg: Lessons from Kenya
Posted: 1 August, 2024 Filed under: Oluwatosin Senami Adegun, Yeabsira Teferi | Tags: Arise O Compatriots, Coat of Arms, colonial ‘God save the Queen’, constitutional amendment, country’s identity, fundamental values, gap in the law, legislative functions, military regime, national anthem, National Anthem Act of 2024, National Anthem Bill, national flag, national pledge, national symbols, Nigeria, Nigeria we hail thee, public participation Leave a comment
Author: Oluwatosin Senami Adegun
LLM candidate, Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria
At independence in October 1960, Nigeria adopted ‘Nigeria, we hail thee’ as its national anthem replacing the colonial ‘God save the Queen’, however, the fact that the lyrics and the music of the 1960 anthem were composed by British nationals, Lillian Jean Williams and music by Miss Rances Benda respectively raised questions about the ‘independence’ of the 1960 anthem resulting in controversy over the genuineness or otherwise of the lyrics and other issues. Nevertheless, Nigeria used the anthem from October 1960 to 1978 when it was changed to ‘Arise O Compatriots’ during the military administration of Olusegun Obasanjo. Unlike the 1960 anthem, the lyrics of the 1978 anthem was composed by five Nigerians namely, John Anagboso Ilechukwu, Eme Etim Akpan, Babatunde Ogunnaike, Sota Omoigui and Philips Olusegun Aderibigbe, while its music was composed by Benedict Odiase during his service in the Nigeria Police Force.
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