The Malian Personal Data Protection Authority (APDP) has launched an extraordinary session to examine around two thousand reporting formalities, underscoring the country’s growing focus on data governance and regulatory oversight.
Central to the agenda is a draft interministerial decree mandating the declaration of leases for buildings used for residential, commercial, professional, or mixed purposes.
Submitted by the Ministry of Urban Planning, Housing, State Property, Regional Planning and Population, the proposed legislation aims to enhance the traceability of real estate transactions and reduce risks associated with the misuse of rental agreements.
According to Malian law, any processing of data on behalf of the state requires a reasoned opinion from the APDP, established under Law No. 2013-015 of May 21, 2013.
Over a five-day review period, the Authority’s commissioners meticulously assess each project, examining legal compliance, information system security, data retention policies, and the protection of individuals’ rights.
“The review of lease declaration procedures represents an important extension of our regulatory mandate,” said an APDP spokesperson.
“Our goal is to ensure that public and private organizations handle sensitive information in accordance with principles of confidentiality, proportionality, and purpose.”
The APDP has increasingly asserted its authority in recent years.
In 2025 alone, a Bamako clinic was fined five million CFA francs for obstructing an inspection related to an undeclared video surveillance system.
More than one hundred other companies have received formal notices for failing to meet obligations regarding personal data processing.
By examining the draft decree on real estate leases, the Authority is entering a new regulatory area that intersects property management and digital data governance.
The move forms part of a broader national strategy to protect citizens’ personal information while increasing transparency in the housing and real estate sectors.
Officials hope the new framework will provide clarity for landlords, tenants, and state authorities alike, reinforcing public confidence in the management of sensitive data.
The APDP session, which continues over several days, is expected to conclude with detailed recommendations that will shape Mali’s regulatory approach to data protection in the real estate sector.
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