The American Business Council and American multinational technology corporation, Microsoft Corporation have sought the quick passage of the data protection bill.
They made the plea at the workshop on cross-border data flows and their impacts on the Nigerian economy. The event was jointly organised by ABC and Microsoft.
Cross-border data protection laws are made to ensure the safe movement of electronic, personal data across the globe.
The ABC Chief Executive Officer, Margaret Olele, said if passed, the bill before the National Assembly will foster innovations and drive Nigeria’s economic growth.
According to her, the bill has the potential to create a fertile environment for innovation to thrive.
“I will say that we do not expect to have fears, in fact, I do not think we have fears as a council that works with over 70 US companies and works closely with different stakeholders to ensure that we have a social, economic, and relevant system for the private sector to thrive as well as the country,” Olele said.
Also speaking, Microsoft’s Director of Corporate External and Legal Affairs, Africa Regional Cluster, John Edokpolo, said enabling regulatory framework was crucial to build trust in the digital age.
“And one of the ways to build trust is to make sure that you have the enabling regulatory framework to ensure that people when they adopt technology, they use it for their businesses, they are responsible in the way that they collect data and how they use it.
“It’s also important for citizens just to have the confidence that the government is interested in protecting their data, which is a source for everyone,” Edokpolo said.
