Pre-Convening Roundtable Discussion 2025

Date: 8th September 2025

Venue: University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Theme: Safeguarding Personal Data in National Digital ID Systems

Background and Rationale

As digital identity systems become central to governance, economic participation, and service delivery across East Africa, concerns surrounding privacy, data security, and inclusivity continue to grow. The implementation of national digital ID systems has raised critical legal and ethical questions regarding data protection, consent, and the potential risks of exclusion and surveillance.

The Unwanted Witness Privacy Moot Court Competition 2025 is focused on these pressing issues, with the theme “Safeguarding Personal Data in National Digital ID Systems.” To deepen engagement and facilitate a policy-oriented dialogue, a pre-convening roundtable discussion will be held ahead of the moot competition. This event will provide a platform for key stakeholders, legal experts, academics, policymakers, and civil society organizations to critically examine the findings of the policy paper on digital ID systems and develop advocacy strategies for stronger data protection measures in the region

Objectives of the Pre-Convening

  1. To present and discuss the policy paper on safeguarding personal data in national digital ID systems.
  2. To facilitate a multi-stakeholder roundtable discussion on legal and policy challenges in digital ID governance.
  3. To develop key recommendations and resolutions that will inform advocacy efforts post-convening.
  4. To foster regional cooperation in strengthening data protection frameworks.
  5. To equip legal practitioners and policymakers with insights on best practices for digital ID governance.

Structure of the Convening

A. Presentation of the Policy Paper

The convening will begin with a presentation of the policy paper developed by Unwanted Witness and its partners. The paper will cover:

  1. The legal and regulatory landscape of digital ID systems in East Africa.
  2. Challenges and risks associated with national digital IDs, including exclusion, privacy breaches, and security vulnerabilities.
  3. Best practices and recommendations for harmonizing data protection laws and improving digital ID governance.

B. Roundtable Discussion

Following the presentation, a roundtable discussion will be held with panelists from various sectors, including:

  • Legal scholars and practitioners
  • Government representatives and data protection regulators
  • Civil society and digital rights advocates
  • Academia and research institutions
  • Private sector stakeholders in digital ID implementation

Discussion points will include:

  1. The role of legal frameworks in protecting personal data in digital ID systems.
  2. Balancing security and privacy in digital ID implementation.
  3. Addressing risks of exclusion and surveillance.
  4. Strategies for regional harmonization of data protection laws.
  5. Practical policy interventions for strengthening digital ID governance.

C. Development of Advocacy Resolutions

The session will conclude with the formulation of concrete advocacy resolutions based on insights from the discussion. These will be compiled into an Advocacy Brief to guide post-convening engagement with policymakers, regulators, and stakeholders.

Expected Outcomes

  1. A shared understanding of the legal, ethical, and policy challenges of digital ID systems in East Africa.
  2. Well-defined recommendations and advocacy strategies for strengthening data protection frameworks.
  3. A policy-informed Advocacy Brief to be disseminated to policymakers, civil society, and legal institutions.
  4. Strengthened regional dialogue on harmonizing privacy and data protection laws.
  5. Increased awareness among stakeholders on the role of law in safeguarding human rights in digital identity systems.

Post-Convening Advocacy and Dissemination

Following the roundtable discussion, the advocacy resolutions will be used for:

  • Policy Engagement: Presenting the Advocacy Brief to national governments and regional bodies.
  • Media and Public Awareness Campaigns: Disseminating key findings through media platforms, op-eds, and digital content.
  • Stakeholder Workshops: Hosting follow-up engagements with legal experts, civil society, and policymakers.
  • Integration into the Moot Court Competition: Ensuring the advocacy themes are reflected in the competition discussions.
  • Regional Collaboration: Partnering with data protection authorities and legal institutions to advance regulatory reforms.

Conclusion

The Pre-Convening Roundtable Discussion will be a critical platform for shaping the discourse on digital ID systems and privacy rights in East Africa. By bringing together key stakeholders, the convening aims to foster collaborative efforts in advocating for stronger data protection laws and ethical digital identity governance. The resolutions from this discussion will serve as a foundation for ongoing advocacy and legal reforms in the region.