It seems the quest to harmonize data privacy regulations is more universal than one might think. While, in the U.S., companies are still hoping for a federal data privacy solution, in the African Union, the recently operational Malabo Convention seeks to move the needle on synchronizing Africa’s mosaic of 30-plus national data privacy laws.

The African Union Convention on Cyber Security and Personal Data Protection, also known as the Malabo Convention, went into effect this month after it reached its quota of ratification by at least fifteen countries. The goal of the convention is to provide general rules on personal data protection, electronic commerce and cybersecurity.