What should I do if a data localization law passes in my country?

More and more African countries are adopting or preparing laws requiring certain data to be stored within national territory. If this is the case in your country, or if you expect it to happen, here is what to do.

1. Map your data. Know precisely what data you process, where it is stored, and where it transits. Many businesses do not know this with certainty, and it is the starting point for any compliance effort.

2. Identify what's sensitive. Not all data carries the same level of requirement. Customer, HR, and financial data: start with what the law targets as a priority.

3. Plan ahead rather than react. Migrating a large volume of data in a rush, on the day the law takes effect, is an operational headache. The same migration, planned in advance, goes smoothly. Anticipation is your best ally.

4. Duplicate your setup. Your primary data stays in your country, your backups are located outside the territory according to your legal choice. You meet the local requirement while keeping continuity in the event of a major incident.

At Hodi, this is exactly what we set up with you. We host your data in the country of your choice, as close as possible to your users, and we track the evolution of regional regulatory frameworks (ECOWAS, WAEMU, CEMAC, SADC) to keep you informed.

One clarification, to stay honest: we do not guarantee your compliance, which remains your responsibility as the data controller. We give you the tools and support to strengthen it. To look at your specific case, write to us and we'll go through it together.

Updated on: 17/07/2026