Dr. Zanetor urges AU member states to ratify Malabo Convention on cybersecurity

The Second Vice President of the Pan-African Parliament, Zanetor Agyemang-Rawlings, has urged African Union (AU) member states to ratify the Malabo Convention on cybersecurity and personal data protection.

The Malabo Convention, adopted in 2014 and which entered into force in 2023, provides a continental legal framework for cybersecurity, data protection and electronic commerce.

It is aimed at creating a safer and more regulated digital environment across Africa.

Dr. Zanetor made the appeal during the opening of the 87th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights in Banjul, where she represented the President of the Pan-African Parliament, H.E. Fateh Boutbig.

Her call comes amid increasing concerns over cyber threats, online data breaches and the rapid expansion of digital systems across African economies.

She emphasised that Africa must urgently align its legal systems to respond to emerging digital and governance challenges.

“I also called on Member States to ratify the Malabo Convention in order to strengthen Africa’s collective response to cybersecurity threats, protect citizens online, and advance digital sovereignty across the continent,” she stated in a social media post following the address.

Dr. Zanetor also highlighted the importance of integrating human rights into Africa’s digital transformation agenda, noting that rapid technological advancement must not outpace legal protections for citizens.

“In this new era of artificial intelligence and rapid digitalisation, there is an urgent need to recognise digital rights as human rights and to establish coherent legal and policy frameworks capable of protecting citizens in an increasingly digital world,” she said.

She further called for stronger democratic governance, peacebuilding mechanisms and institutional reforms across African states.

According to her, sustainable peace cannot be achieved through military interventions alone, but through inclusive governance and strong institutions that ensure citizen participation.

Dr. Zanetor also highlighted the role of women in peacebuilding and conflict prevention, describing them as key actors in stabilising communities during crises.

She urged member states to adopt and domesticate model laws developed by the Pan-African Parliament to harmonise legal systems and strengthen governance across the continent.