DODOMA: MEMBERS of the public and other stakeholders have been invited to weigh in on a proposed African Union convention that seeks to address cybersecurity and protect personal data.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Infrastructure is calling on members of the public and other interested parties to submit their views on Tanzania’s proposed ratification of the African Union Convention on Cyber Security and Personal Data Protection, 2014.
In a statement issued yesterday, the Communication and Public Education Unit of the Parliament of Tanzania said the committee would hold a public consultation meeting on Monday, October 26, 2026.
The meeting will give stakeholders an opportunity to share their views before the proposed resolution moves to the next stage.
“In recognition of the importance of public participation, the committee invites all those with views on the convention to attend the meeting and submit their opinions before the resolution proceeds to the next stage,” the statement reads.
The meeting will take place at 10am in Room 231 on the second floor of the Administration Building, according to the statement.
Members of the public who are unable to attend the meeting may submit their views in writing through the Parliamentary Office or via email at cna@bunge.go.tz or kamati@bunge.go.tz.
The convention is available on Parliament’s website at https://www.parliament.go.tz/documents/resolutions, the statement adds.
The African Union Convention on Cyber Security and Personal Data Protection, commonly known as the Malabo Convention, was adopted on June 27, 2014, in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. It seeks to establish a legal framework for cybersecurity, electronic transactions and personal data protection across Africa.
The convention addresses cybercrime, including hacking, identity theft and cyber fraud, while requiring member states to establish legal frameworks to protect personal data during its collection, processing and storage.
It also provides for the legal recognition of electronic communications and signatures to facilitate electronic commerce and promote secure digital transactions. In addition, the treaty encourages international cooperation in combating cybercrime and safeguarding personal data.
The convention entered into force on June 8, 2023, following the attainment of the required 15 ratifications by African Union member states. Article 36 provides that the treaty would enter into force 30 days after the deposit of the 15th instrument of ratification.
Mauritania’s ratification in May 2023 brought the number of ratifying countries to the required threshold, paving the way for the convention to enter into force.