Sub-Saharan Africa2
ECOWAS Data Protection Act
ECOWAS member statesThe first binding sub-regional data protection framework in Africa, strongly influenced by the EU Data Protection Directive. Requires member states to enact national laws and establish supervisory authorities. About two-thirds have enacted implementing legislation. Currently being revised to align with modern standards.
Law 133/V
Republic of Cabo VerdeCape Verde enacted Africa's first comprehensive data protection law in 2001, making it a pioneer on the continent. The law has been significantly modernized through amendments in 2013 and 2021, with the latter introducing GDPR-aligned rights such as data portability and erasure, plus extraterritorial scope covering foreign controllers processing Cape Verdean residents' data.