Delivering Responsible and Beneficial Data Governance in Africa

Dr. Adeniran Adedeji is a development economist with over a decade of experience in economic policy analysis, applied research, and multi-country project management. He has extensive expertise in data governance, the economics of education, and impact evaluation. He currently serves as Director of Research, where he leads the organisation’s AI and data governance workstream. His recent work focuses on the intersection of digitalisation and governance in Africa, with particular attention to how emerging technologies can strengthen public institutions, improve service delivery, and support inclusive growth. He has led and contributed to research on digital policy, regulatory frameworks, and the responsible use of data and artificial intelligence in developing-country contexts. Adedeji is passionate about promoting evidence-based approaches to technology governance and ensuring that digital transformation delivers broad social and economic benefits across Africa.Prof. Adeyemi Abel Ajibesin is a faculty member in the department of Information Technology at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South Africa, and an internationally distinguished scholar in Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, and digital transformation. A visionary academic and innovation strategist, he is a Google ExploreCSR Principal Investigator, IEEE STEM Champion, AI4D leader, and AIMS–NEF Fellow. With dual PhDs in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and over two decades of global academic and industry experience, he is widely known for translating advanced research into scalable societal impact, particularly across Africa’s digital and technological ecosystems.He previously held several senior academic leadership roles at the American University of Nigeria, including Chair of Software Engineering, Founding Interim Dean of the School of Engineering and Interim Dean of the School of Information Technology and Computing, where he also directed the African Centre for ICT Innovation and Training. In these capacities, he led major institutional transformations, developed cutting-edge academic programs in Emerging Technologies, and contributed to national initiatives aimed at building large-scale digital capacity. His academic engagements extend globally through visiting and adjunct professorships, international examining roles, and collaborations with institutions across Africa, North America, Asian and beyond.Blending academic excellence, innovation, and policy engagement, he champions inclusive and human-centered Artificial Intelligence for development. He has authored over 90 scholarly publications, multiple patents, and several academic books with leading international publishers. His work spans AI-driven decision systems, digital inclusion, and socio-technical innovation, with strong emphasis on gender equity and capacity development in STEM. A respected advisor to governments and international organizations, including the World Bank, he continues to shape policy, mentor emerging scholars, and lead transformative initiatives, that advance sustainable digital futures across Africa.

• ForewordPreface List of Contributors Acknowledgements Chapter 1. Prologue and IntroductionAdeyemi Abel Ajibesin and Adedeji AdeniranChapter 2. Rethinking Data Governance as a Driver for Africa’s Digital Economy GrowthSone OsakweChapter 3. Measuring Digitalisation and Data Governance Trends in Africa: Suggested Approaches, Evidence, and Policy ImplicationsEzra Ihieze, Clinton Essang and Adedeji AdeniranChapter 4. Strengthening Urban Data Governance for Inclusive City Development: Evidence from CameroonFabrice NzepangChapter 5. Designing Gender-Responsive AI Ecosystems: Policy Approaches to Inclusive AI Innovation in AfricaDonia Tarek Abdelwahab MohamedChapter 6. Ethical AI Adoption and Data Governance in the Telecommunications Sector: A Case Study of AlgeriaAdeyemi Abel Ajibesin, Obiageli Lauretta Ekwunwa, Francis Benisemeni, and Zeyneb ZeroualiChapter 7. Operationalising Open Data Reforms: Translating Policy Commitments into Data Governance Practice in MalawiKampini TamikaChapter 8. Enhancing a National Health Data Commons in Zimbabwe: Digital Public Goods as Enablers of Health EquityZacharia GrandChapter 9. Governing AI through Incremental Institutional change: Evidence from Nigeria’s Public Sector TransformationIfeonu O. RobertChapter 10. Impact of Digital Policy on Digital Trade Performance: Evidence From West and East Africa: Evidence from West and East AfricaChukwuka Onyekwena, Bisong Anthony Ekpang, and Nander Esmeralda NdamChapter 11. Evaluating the Economic, Social, and Digital Outcomes of Data Governance in Africa: Comparative Evidence from Ghana and NigeriaAdedeji Adeniran and Kunle Balogun Chapter 12. Evaluating Data Governance Risks Amidst AI Adoption in NigeriaAdedeji Adeniran, Abdulkhalid Salihu, Princess Ewa, and Ebube AgboChapter 13. AI Adoption, Skills, and Digital Infrastructure: Evidence from Nigerian FirmsBisong Anthony Ekpang, Abdulkareem Alhassan, Chukwuka Onyekwena, and Anthony OkonChapter 14. ConclusionAdedeji Adeniran and Adeyemi Abel Ajibesin