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From 15 to 17 June 2026, around 60 senior policymakers, regulators and technical experts from Angola, Cabo Verde, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique and São Tomé and Príncipe met in Luanda for the Second Lusophone Africa Data Governance Workshop. Hosted by the Government of Angola through the Agência de Proteção de Dados (APD), Smart Africa, the World Bank, CETIC.br and UNESCO, the workshop focused on translating UNESCO’s Data Governance Toolkit into practical policies, institutions and data infrastructure that support trusted digital transformation.
From policy frameworks to practical implementation
Building on the first Lusophone workshop held in Maputo in 2025, the Luanda meeting shifted the discussion from policy awareness to implementation. Participants explored how data centres, cloud infrastructure, interoperability, digital public infrastructure and institutional governance can enable secure, efficient and rights-based digital transformation.
Throughout the workshop, UNESCO experts guided participants in applying the 4Ps framework—Purpose, Principles, People and Practices—from the Data Governance Toolkit: Navigating Data in the Digital Age. Through self-assessments, peer learning exercises and national case studies, delegations examined how governance frameworks can move beyond legislation to support operational decision-making across government institutions.
Building sustainable digital infrastructure for the AI era
A major theme of the workshop was the relationship between data infrastructure and sustainable AI. Discussions highlighted that the environmental footprint of AI is shaped not only by algorithms, but also by the design of data centres, storage systems and cross-border data flows.
Participants explored approaches for integrating sustainability considerations into public procurement, digital infrastructure planning and AI deployment, while promoting Green AI and appropriately sized AI systems that respond to local needs and available resources.
Winston Oyadomari, UNESCO representative, said that the second day focused on how Artificial Intelligence can become more efficient and contribute to sustainability by supporting resource management and the sustainable development of society.
He also highlighted that cooperation among Portuguese-speaking countries and the Global South is essential for developing practical solutions adapted to national contexts, particularly in areas such as data production, privacy protection and digital governance. He noted that data protection is fundamentally a matter of public policy because it directly affects people’s access to services, social benefits and opportunities. These messages reinforced UNESCO’s broader commitment to promoting trustworthy, inclusive and rights-based data governance.
Strengthening institutions through peer learning
Technical sessions combined practical exercises with country presentations, enabling participants to compare national experiences and identify common priorities. Delegations examined institutional roles using the RACI methodology, exchanged experiences on interoperability, data quality, regulatory oversight and enforcement, and developed practical approaches for trusted data sharing in sectors including health and education.
Country representatives also shared progress and challenges in strengthening national data governance systems. Common priorities included improving interoperability between public institutions, enhancing data and AI literacy, clarifying institutional responsibilities, strengthening cybersecurity and modernizing legal and regulatory frameworks.
The discussions extended beyond policy frameworks. Following the workshop, participating delegations visited Angola’s Data Protection Agency (APD) to learn about its institutional structure, supervisory functions, inspection procedures and enforcement mechanisms. The exchange provided practical lessons for countries developing or strengthening independent data protection authorities across the region.
The workshop also coincided with Angola’s ongoing revision of its Data Protection Law. During the closing session, APD Executive Administrator, Amaro Figueiredo, announced that the revised legislation had completed public consultation and was expected to proceed through the national legislative process. The proposed law introduces stronger oversight mechanisms, establishes the role of Data Protection Officers in organizations processing large volumes of data and further aligns the country’s governance framework with emerging challenges related to AI, digital transformation and data governance.
Looking ahead
The Luanda workshop marked another step in strengthening data governance across Lusophone Africa. By combining practical implementation tools, peer learning and regional cooperation, participating countries advanced shared approaches for building trusted, sustainable and interoperable data ecosystems that support responsible AI and inclusive digital transformation.
READ MORE: https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/advancing-data-infrastructure-and-governance-lusophone-africa-regional-workshop-concludes-luanda?hub=701
