At the East Africa Data Governance Conference 2025, the Datasphere Initiative hosted a lively and thought-provoking discussion on how sandboxes can foster both regulatory and technical innovation in Africa. Moderated by Diana Sang (Africa Director, Digital Impact Alliance), the panel featured insights from Karen Bett (Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data), Morine Amutorine (Datasphere Initiative), and Dr. Japheth Odhiambo (Communications Authority of Kenya).
Are Sandboxes a new concept in Africa?
The session began by exploring attendees’ familiarity with sandboxes. While most had never heard of them, some had a basic understanding, and only a few were familiar—but none considered themselves experts. When asked what came to mind upon hearing the term “sandbox,” responses ranged from “experimentation, regulation, and innovation” to more unexpected responses like “materials, playground, and even sand in a box.”
Attendees also shared their views on which sectors would benefit most from sandboxes. AI and data topped the list, followed closely by health, finance, and climate innovation—highlighting the vast potential of sandboxes beyond just technology.
Key Learnings from the Africa Sandboxes Outlook Report
Morine Amutorine introduced the concept of sandboxes and shared insights from the Africa Sandboxes Outlook Report, which was launched at the East Africa Data Governance Conference. The report underscores the need for greater investment, capacity-building, and collaboration in sandboxing initiatives. Many innovators enter sandboxes without clear expectations, while regulators often lack specialized support to conduct thorough technical due diligence. To maximize the impact of sandboxes, the report recommends enhancing communication and engagement to foster open discussions and establish spaces for exchanging insights and experiences. It further recommends expanding sandbox applications beyond technology into socio-economic sectors, and leveraging them for digital policy development alongside innovation. Additionally, it highlights the need for structured evaluation frameworks to assess effectiveness and ensure long-term impact.
Sandboxes: The Bridge between Regulators and Innovators
The discussion affirmed that regulatory sandboxes are not new to Africa—many sectors are already experimenting with flexible regulatory models, sometimes without calling them “sandboxes.” Karen Bett noted that informal experimentation is already happening, and structured sandboxes can refine data access, accuracy, and responsibility while ensuring regulations keep pace with innovation. Dr. Japheth Odhiambo captured the essence of sandboxes, stating: “A regulatory sandbox is more of a handshake between the regulator and the innovator.” However, for this handshake to work, sandboxes must be anchored in strong legal frameworks while staying flexible enough to accommodate emerging technologies.
Challenges and Opportunities in Sandboxing
Regulatory Fragmentation
A major challenge in Africa is fragmented regulation, which makes it difficult to establish cross-border sandboxes. However, the panelists noted that sandboxes themselves could be used to test regulatory models that address these inconsistencies.
Who Gains and Who Pays for Sandboxes?
Funding is another critical issue. Karen Bett stressed that governments should invest in regulatory testing, but funding models must be structured in a way that ensures equitable cost-sharing and benefits. Public-private partnerships were suggested as a sustainable solution to financing sandbox initiatives.
Centralized vs. Decentralized Sandboxes
The panel explored whether sandboxes should be centralized under one authority or distributed across multiple regulatory bodies. Centralized sandboxes offer structured oversight and regulatory consistency, while decentralized sandboxes, connected through a regulators’ forum, provide greater flexibility and agility in addressing sector-specific challenges. The UK’s Regulators’ Forum was cited as a model for fostering collaboration, knowledge sharing, and coordinated sandboxing efforts.
As the discussion wrapped up, Dr. Japheth emphasized the importance of awareness, stating: “A sandbox is as good as people know about it.” The panelists noted the transformative potential of regulatory sandboxes, emphasizing the need for adaptable frameworks, capacity-building, and cross-border collaboration to enhance innovation in Africa.
The session concluded with three key recommendations for making sandboxes more effective across Africa:
- Regulators must embrace agility and collaboration to create an environment where sandboxes foster responsible innovation.
- Governments, private sector players, and international organizations must engage in cross-border regulatory discussions to harmonize sandboxing frameworks.
- Encouraging participation from big tech and local innovators is crucial to scaling successful sandbox models across Africa.
Sandboxes are not just regulatory experiments—they are essential tools with the potential to shape Africa’s digital future. With the right regulatory environment, Africa can unlock new opportunities in AI, health, fintech, digital public infrastructure, and beyond.
