The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has collaborated with some private sector Information and Communications Technology (ICT) companies to explore the use of adaptive regulatory sandboxes capable of supporting the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into data protection frameworks while enabling cross-border innovation in the country.
The National Commissioner and Chief Executive of the commission, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, gave the hint during a one-day workshop titled “Co-Creation Lab on Africa Sandboxes for AI”, which also featured the evaluation of the African Sandbox Outlook report, held in Abuja
Specifically, the workshop focused on how regulatory sandboxes could serve as safe-testing environment for AI technologies and foster data-driven innovation in the African continent.
Speaking at the event, Olatunji explained that the commission was examining the role of regulatory sandboxes as part of its mandate under the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA).
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Represented at the forum by Head of the Commission’s Innovation Unit, Ms. Adaobi Nwankwo, the National Commissioner, said that sandboxes aimed to encourage responsible AI, foster compliance with the NDPA, and promote trust, fairness, accountability, and transparency.
According to him, the goal of the initiative “is to create a competitive environment for AI developers and data scientists while addressing Africa’s unique challenges.”
The industry expert maintained that a functional regulatory sandbox would need to operate within real-time legal and regulatory frameworks to ensure effective testing of AI and data-driven solutions.
In his address at the event, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida, stressed that while AI offered transformative opportunities for digital infrastructure, network optimization, and public service delivery, it also threw up some complex regulatory and ethical concerns.
The EVC, who was represented by the Deputy Director of New Media and Information Security at NCC, Mr. Babagana Digima, harped on the significance of regulatory sandboxes as tools for collaborative policy development.
He expatiated: “Sandboxes provide a controlled environment for innovators to test AI under regulatory supervision.This encourages collaborative learning, risk mitigation, and evidence-based policymaking. We’re aligning this with the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, the Digital Economy Policy, and the Nigeria Data Protection Act.”
Also, the Principal Consultant at Kontemporary Konsulting, Dr. Jimson Olufuye, in his paper delivered at the forum advocated he need for greater regulatory harmonization of AI strategies in Africa to facilitate easier data flows and AI integration.
He said: “We need to optimise data protection processes and scale products across West Africa. There’s a need for sandboxes that support cross-border interoperability and AI systems embedded with robust governance structures.”
The Africa Lead for the Datasphere Initiative, Ms. Morine Amutorine, emphasized that AI sandboxes can be implemented in countries, regardless of their regulatory maturity, adding that “sandbox allows stakeholders to assess the impact of data-driven solutions and identify areas requiring new or updated regulation.”
Meanwhile, the African Sandbox Outlook report, which was presented at the event, revealed that sandboxes were increasingly being recognized across the global geopolitical space as powerful tools for testing regulatory and technical approaches to AI and data governance.
The report’s findings also showed that regulatory sandboxes across Africa remained pivotal for tackling the continent’s data challenges, supporting innovation, and unlocking data value chains.
