Data is no longer a by-product of administration but a strategic national asset, a cornerstone of modern governance, digital public service delivery, innovation, and trade.
This was said by the Principal Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Information, Communications, Science, Technology and Innovation (MICSTI), Mr Kanono Ramashamole, when closing a three-day data governance capacity building workshop on Wednesday.
He highlighted that discussions held during the workshop have underscored that responsible data governance is not just a technical necessity but a governance imperative.
He emphasized the need to strengthen digital identity systems, secure platforms for data exchange, and payment systems as key enablers of inclusive digital public infrastructure.
Furthermore, he talked about the need to reform Lesotho’s Data Protection Act of 2011 to align it with international and continental instruments, including the AU Convention on Cybersecurity and Personal Data Protection, the African Union Data Policy Framework, the SADC Model Law, and the EU GDPR.
“The establishment of an independent Data Protection Authority must be prioritized if we are to build public trust and ensure enforcement,” he added.
In conclusion, he expressed appreciation to all participants for their active engagement, openness to share, and their spirit of collaboration.
On the other hand, CIPESA Executive Director Dr Wairagala Wakabi said data has become a digital domain, saying data policies should comply with current digital development.
He also commended the country for moving a step towards policies which are in harmony with those of African countries so that there could be data integration.
The workshop brought together key data actors with the objective to discuss data governance infrastructure as well as the right policies for implementation.
Source: Lesotho News Agency (LENA) 31/7/2025
