Europe and Africa seek to converge their visions of a fair and sovereign data economy based on shared values and policies that assure strong data protection and inclusive economic growth.

The EU, in close partnership with AU Member States, the Smart Africa Alliance, tech companies, financing institutions, civil society organizations, and academia, will ensure that data generated within Africa benefits its citizens, businesses, and public sector.

This partnership will facilitate investments in African data infrastructure and data technologies and services that can contribute to the acceleration of the digital transformation of the continent.

The EU-AU Data Flagship will also create a more enabling data economy in Africa through increasing the number of highly qualified data professionals, with a focus on issues related to data protection, collection, storage, analysis, interpretation, and visualisation of data.

In the fight against global health crises, such as COVID-19, this flagship will support African governments to better collect and use data, while fully respecting the rights to privacy and data protection.