The Kingdom of Eswatini has joined the rest of the world in commemorating Data Protection Week 2026, reinforcing the importance of safeguarding personal information and empowering citizens to take control of their data in the digital era.
The week-long observance runs from January 22 to 28, 2026, coinciding with International Privacy Week, which is commemorated globally.
This year’s theme, “Take Control of Your Data,” promotes a proactive, rights-based approach to data protection, emphasizing empowerment, transparency, and accountability. The initiative aims to encourage emaSwati to understand and exercise their rights regarding personal information, while placing clear responsibility on entities that process personal data to uphold these rights.
The Eswatini Data Protection Authority (EDPA) emphasized that personal data is a valuable resource that must be handled with strong safeguards to prevent any infringement of fundamental freedoms.
“In this digital era, protecting personal data is not just a legal requirement; it is a moral responsibility,” the EDPA says. The Authority urges organizations to embed privacy by design into their operations and to handle personal data with transparency, fairness, and accountability. Data protection should no longer be treated as an isolated compliance exercise but integrated into daily practices, both personally and professionally. According to the EDPA, safeguarding personal data is the foundation of a trusted and thriving digital economy.
During the week, the EDPA will undertake a series of awareness and capacity-building initiatives to strengthen compliance with the Data Protection Act, 2022, and to empower citizens to actively protect their rights. Activities include:
• Awareness campaigns to educate citizens on their data protection rights, the importance of safeguarding personal information, and identifying registered data controllers and processors.
• Promoting compliance by encouraging and facilitating the registration of data controllers and processors.
• Capacity-building workshops for Data Protection Officers to reinforce their roles and responsibilities within their organizations.
The EDPA has also called on all data controllers and processors to observe Data Protection Week by undertaking initiatives to improve the collection, storage, and processing of personal information.
According to the Authority, the week serves as a reminder that protecting personal data is not only a regulatory requirement but also a shared responsibility critical to the country’s digital growth.