Friday, 17th October 2025: Paradigm Initiative, together with its partner, Koneta Hub, have hosted a convening over the past two days, bringing together lawmakers, tech and policy experts, representatives from civil society organisations (CSOs), the private sector, and government officials to discuss South Sudan’s Data Protection Law.
The aim of the convening in Juba, South Sudan was to foster dialogue around the need for a robust data protection framework in the country, increase awareness and knowledge among Members of Parliament and other stakeholders on the relevance of data protection, document policy recommendations to improve the draft Data Protection Bill and secure parliamentary commitment to table and debate the Bill in accordance with human rights standards.
The convening comes at a time when South Sudan is experiencing increased dependence on digital platforms for communication, financial transactions, humanitarian operations and governance, creating room for enhanced and urgent data protection requirements. Without clear safeguards, citizens, businesses and institutions remain vulnerable to surveillance, data misuse and privacy violations.
While giving his keynote address, Mr Chol Joseph Mayen, Director of Research and Planning, National Communication Authority, said the forum is timely, as it plays an important role in building trust in the digital ecosystem while ensuring the country’s Data Protection Law is people-centred, forward-looking and responsive to the national context and needs. “This dialogue could not have come at a better time for South Sudan,” he stated.
On her part, Miriam Beatrice Wanjiru, Paradigm Initiative’s (PIN’s) Programmes Officer, East Africa, said the convening presents a strategic moment for intervention as the parliamentarians are gearing for the Bill, presenting an opportunity to strengthen it while ensuring it is implementable and rooted in human rights principles.
Speaking at the event, Denaya Dennis, Executive Director, Koneta, pointed out that the country lacks a comprehensive legal and institutional framework for protection of personal data, while existing Information Communication Technology (ICT) regulations are limited and not able to adequately address privacy challenges.
South Sudan, the world’s youngest nation, is experiencing rapid growth in mobile connectivity and digital adoption. However, the country still lacks a comprehensive legal and institutional framework for the protection of personal data. Existing ICT regulations are limited, and provisions addressing privacy remain underdeveloped.
The convening is part of PIN’s broad advocacy efforts in digital rights and inclusion, where outcomes from the meeting will inform collective action toward the enactment of a comprehensive Data Protection Law in South Sudan.
The forum is being held under PIN’s Digital Policy Engagement Series (DiPES) initiative, which provides a platform for stakeholders such as civil society organisations (CSOs), lawyers, and parliamentarians to engage, evaluate and influence policies related to technology, digital rights and inclusion. The South Sudan edition brings together stakeholders to review the draft bill, contribute technical input and co-create a roadmap towards developing a rights-based law that can be implemented.