In today’s interconnected world, every aspect of people's lives generates vast amounts of data.

Data can be defined as factual information (such as measurements or statistics) used as a basis for reasoning, discussion, or calculation.

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Shedding light on issues, Innocent Muhizi, the CEO of Rwanda Information Society Authority (RISA), referred to the registration process during the Private Sector Data Acceleration Program Symposium held at Kigali Marriott Hotel on January 26, where participants recorded their names, contact numbers, emails, and the organizations they represented, among other details.

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He said, "By the end of the day, we will know who was here and where they came from, due to the collected data. Data collection is done almost everywhere, now more than ever before, driven by the need to track information, and make informed decisions," Muhizi said.

"Nowadays we just can&039;t help it; data collection is inevitable. The remaining thing to tackle is how to ensure safety and the appropriate handling of the collected data."

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The symposium convened key players from data-producing companies in the government and private sectors. The event aimed to share insights and lessons learned from the Data Acceleration Program, and look at the impact of the Data Management internship and training program.

The Private Sector Data Acceleration Program, implemented by the Rwanda ICT Chamber in partnership with Cenfri Rwanda, the Ministry of ICT and Innovation, and the Mastercard Foundation, aims to empower companies to be consumers and producers of data products.

The program assists companies in building competent teams, implementing robust processes and systems, and maximizing their potential through data utilization.

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Over the past decade, data protection has undergone a significant transformation due to the exponential growth in data volume and complexity. Businesses of all sizes embraced cloud-based solutions and dispersed data architectures to leverage the potential of data for their success. However, this digital leap has introduced new prospects and challenges, especially in the realm of data security.

Recognizing the importance of safeguarding data, Rwanda enacted Law No 058/2021 in 2021, requiring explicit consent from individuals for the collection, storage, and processing of their personal data, aligning with international data protection standards essential for thriving in the digital economy.

While Rwanda's data protection legislation is significant, a comprehensive Data Maturity Assessment conducted within the Private Sector Data Acceleration Program identified gaps in data privacy and protection among participating companies. These gaps manifested as the absence of designated officers, lack of compliance procedures, and insufficient awareness of the law's significance.

To address these challenges, the Rwanda ICT Chamber partnered with Cenfri Rwanda and CERTA Foundation to initiate a transformative initiative centered around training and certifying Data Protection Officers (DPOs). The recent phase of the program focused on four main sectors: retail, agriculture, education, and tourism. Trainees participated in classes covering data engineering, data strategy, data governance, business intelligence, econometrics, and data privacy law and protection.

The training aimed to equip participants with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively navigate the evolving landscape of data protection and privacy.

Naima Nikuze, a certified Data Protection Officer (DPO) undergoing an internship in the Private Sector Data Acceleration Program, shared her insights: "Organizations can prioritize the safety and privacy of the data they collect, by restricting access to data centers, train their employees on data privacy and monitor and review their data privacy program frequently.

"Through proper training and awareness, we can ensure that data is utilized ethically and securely, ultimately building trust between businesses and individuals."

Centfri Rwanda is also organising a webinar on the feasibility and implementation of Open Finance in Africa, happening on February 8, from 3 PM to 4 PM. Interested people can register on this email: lebogang@Cenfri.org