The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), in collaboration with private sector ICT firms, has announced plans to establish adaptive regulatory sandboxes to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into Nigeria’s data protection ecosystem.
According to the NDPC, these sandboxes will support the safe and responsible development of AI, ensure compliance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA), and uphold principles such as trust, fairness, accountability, and transparency in data governance.
Speaking during a one-day workshop titled “Co-Creation Lab on Africa Sandboxes for AI” held in Abuja, NDPC National Commissioner Dr. Vincent Olatunji—represented by the Commission’s Innovation Unit Head, Ms. Adaobi Nwankwo—highlighted that regulatory sandboxes will allow real-time testing of AI and data-driven solutions under existing legal and regulatory frameworks.
“The goal is to create a competitive environment for AI developers and data scientists while addressing Africa’s unique challenges,” Nwankwo said.
The workshop also included discussions on the African Sandbox Outlook report and the broader role of sandboxes in driving innovation while safeguarding data protection rights.
Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), also stressed the dual nature of AI—its benefits for digital infrastructure and service delivery, and its ethical and regulatory risks. Represented by Mr. Babagana Digima, Maida emphasized sandboxes as essential tools for collaborative, evidence-based policymaking aligned with Nigeria’s AI and digital economy strategies.
Dr. Jimson Olufuye, Principal Consultant at Kontemporary Konsulting, called for stronger harmonization of data protection laws across Africa to enable innovation and seamless cross-border data flows. He urged the creation of sandboxes that promote interoperability and embed solid governance mechanisms in AI systems.
Ms. Morine Amutorine, Africa Lead for the Datasphere Initiative, added that AI regulatory sandboxes can be successfully implemented regardless of a country’s regulatory maturity, providing a controlled setting to evaluate and refine policies.
The African Sandbox Outlook report presented at the workshop confirmed growing recognition of sandboxes as essential platforms for testing both regulatory and technical innovations in AI and data governance.
What you should know
Nigeria is set to join global AI leaders by adopting regulatory sandboxes—controlled environments for testing AI innovations under real-world conditions.
Spearheaded by the NDPC, this move aims to ensure safe, transparent, and scalable AI solutions while encouraging regulatory collaboration across Africa.
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