A new partnership between the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) and Mastercard is set to have significant implications for Nigeria’s informal sector.
A key goal of the partnership, announced this week, is working towards the NDPC’s ambitious target to train and certify 250 000 Data Protection Officers (DPOs) annually.
Earlier this year, the NDPC said that the country’s data protection industry created 23 000 jobs in 2024, a 127% increase from 2023.
Once certified, the DPOs will be expected to expand compliance awareness and skills, particularly among small businesses and informal enterprises that handle personal data, as well as to conduct data protection impact assessments.
Dr. Vincent Olatunji, national commissioner of NDPC, emphasised the need for urgent upskilling in Nigeria’s evolving data ecosystem, stating that human capital development is critical for regulatory effectiveness.
For the informal sector—which includes market traders, micro-businesses, and digital lenders—this partnership is hoped to lead to improved awareness and tightened data security practices.
Nigeria's informal sector accounts for 65% of employment and accounts for 58% of the country’s GDP.
The NDPC’s stricter enforcement of the country’s data protection act last year included issuing N400 million ($250 000) in fines. This clampdown is a wake-up call for informal players to improve their data handling measures.
By equipping DPOs with practical skills, the NDPC-Mastercard initiative will help informal businesses align with data protection laws, minimising risks and enhancing Nigeria’s digital economy growth.
Pilot programmes are expected to address pressing issues, such as unauthorised mobile money deductions and merchant data leaks; problems which currently plague smaller informal businesses.
Targeting the millions of market traders, street vendors, and artisans who form the backbone of Nigeria's economy, this partnership marks a significant shift from traditional corporate-focused data protection efforts.
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