Chief Fortune Charumbira, President of the Pan African Parliament (PAP), issued a stirring call for “Sensitive Data Sovereignty” at a high-level conference held at Tangaza University. Addressing a distinguished gallery of Vice-Chancellors and international delegates, Chief Charumbira warned that Africa stands at a precarious crossroads between rapid technological advancement and a new era of “digital colonialism.” The Fight Against Digital Imperialism Central to Chief Charumbira’s address was the urgent need for Africa to reclaim control over its information. He challenged the status quo where African data—the raw material for Artificial Intelligence (AI)—is harvested, stored, and controlled by foreign entities far beyond the continent’s borders.
“WHO OWNS OUR DATA?” he asked pointedly. “Until the lion learns how to write, the story will always glorify the hunter.” The PAP President emphasized that data sovereignty is not merely a technical issue but a matter of human dignity and cultural preservation. He argued that without control over the narratives fed into AI systems, Africa risks losing its thought processes and decision-making independence to external forces.
Legislative Action: A Model Law for AI Chief Charumbira revealed that the Pan African Parliament is moving beyond rhetoric into legislative action. Following resolutions adopted in 2018 and 2025, the PAP is set to begin work on a Cyber Security and AI Model Law. This framework aims to harmonize digital rights across the continent, protecting citizens from political manipulation and economic exploitation.
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The President lauded the work of the Africa University Network on FAIR Open Science (AUN-FOS) and VODAN-Africa, which have demonstrated that data ownership and innovation can coexist. He specifically highlighted the “African Data Space” as a viable dream where home-grown engineering ensures that sensitive health and genetic data remain under African jurisdiction. Concluding his address, Chief Charumbira made a clarion call for a coordinated approach among governments, academia, and the private sector.
He reminded the audience that no nation can tackle the complexities of the digital revolution alone. “We must affirmatively declare that we do not want to be subjected to digital slavery,” he stated, reinforcing the PAP’s operative mantra: “ONE AFRICA, ONE VOICE.” The conference, which officially opened on 27 January 2026, serves as a milestone in Africa’s journey toward digital self-determination and the protection of its most vulnerable communities.
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