The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has collaborated with some private ICT firms to explore adaptive sandboxes to support Artificial Intelligence (AI) integration and enhance data protection.
This was disclosed at a one-day workshop on Co-Creation Lab on Africa Sandboxes for AI and the evaluation of African Sandbox Outlook report in Abuja.
The workshop, hosted by Kontemporary Konsulting, an ICT firm, in collaboration with NDPC and Datasphere Initiative, a global data company, targeted exploring how regulatory sandboxes could support AI adoption and enable data-driven innovation across borders.
The National Commissioner, NDPC, Dr Vincent Olatunji, said they were already exploring ways to adopt sandboxes in their mandate of data protection and privacy, according to the provisions of the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA).
Represented by the Head of Innovation Unit, Ms Adaobi Nwankwo, Olatunji said that regulatory sandboxes would foster safe and well-regulated ecosystems for AI development.
He also said that establishing a regulatory sandbox to test data-driven solutions would require real-time regulatory frameworks.
“Sandboxes aim to encourage responsible AI, foster compliance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act, promote trust, fairness, accountability and transparency.
“The goal is to create a competitive environment for AI developers and data scientists, ensuring AI systems are unbiased and trustworthy as well as addressing Africa’s unique challenges,” he said.
The Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, Dr Aminu Maida said that they recognised the transformative potential of AI in reshaping the digital economy, improving service delivery, enhancing network optimisation and addressing complex socio-economic challenges.
Represented by the Deputy Director, New Media and Information Security, Mr Babagana Digima, Maida said they were also mindful of the regulatory and ethical questions AI presented, which involved privacy, data protection, accountability, among other factors.
“The concept of regulatory sandboxes has emerged as a promising approach to foster innovation while safeguarding the public interest.
“Sandboxes offer a controlled environment for innovators to test emerging technologies like AI under regulatory supervision, thus enabling collaborative learning, risk mitigation, and evidence-based policymaking.
“As a regulator of the communications sector, the NCC is actively exploring adaptive regulatory models, including sandbox frameworks.
“The frameworks will not only support AI integration but also align with national priorities such as the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy, and the Nigeria Data Protection Act,” he said.
Similarly, the Principal Consultant of Kontemporary Konsulting, Dr Jimson Olufuye said that there were lots of cross-border data flows which required easy movement and well-embedded AI systems.
“There is a need for cross-border data sharing and data interoperability, we need to develop products for AI like the sandbox which will help ensure better management of products.
“We need to optimise our data protection processes and encourage cross-border data exchange and easy scaling of products across West Africa and beyond,” Olufuye said.
He noted that there were different AI, data protection laws across Africa and institutions, hence the need for regulators to collaborate and harmonise regulatory frameworks for better data governance.
Datasphere Initiative Lead in Africa, Ms Morine Amutorine noted that sandboxes could operate effectively in countries with existing regulations, developing and those without AI regulations.
“A sandbox, in that case, will be a space where organisations, countries are able to look at AI and data-driven solutions, and then see which areas of their operations they need to regulate.
“Sandboxes facilitate collaboration among stakeholders, including entrepreneurs, academia, and civil society, to inform regulatory frameworks,” she said.
According to the African Sandbox Outlook report, sandboxes across tech sector were emerging as useful tools for testing regulatory and technical innovations capable of tackling the complex challenges presented by data and artificial intelligence (AI).
The report also said that sandboxes’ potential was being explored in Africa to support data governance innovation and data value creation.
The event was held as a follow-up to the Network of African Data Protection Authorities (NADPA) conference by NDPC, which was held between 6 and 8.
NAN
