Protecting Your Privacy & Personal Data
The African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF), as the operator of the Capacity Knowledge Hub platform, is committed to protecting the privacy and personal data of all users. This Privacy Policy explains what data we collect, how we use it, and your rights as a user. By using the Capacity Knowledge Hub platform, you agree to the terms of this policy.
Data Controller
The African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF), a specialized agency of the African Union, headquartered in Harare, Zimbabwe, is the data controller for personal data collected through the Capacity Knowledge Hub platform. Contact: [data protection contact email]
What Data We Collect
Registration data (name, email address, country, institution, professional role) when you create an account; Profile data (thematic areas of expertise, biography, CV) when you register as an expert or institution; Content data (documents, datasets, comments, discussion posts) that you submit to the platform; Usage data (pages visited, search queries, download activity) collected automatically via analytics tools;
How We Use Your Data
To create and manage your user account; To display your profile in the Expert or Institution Directory (if you have registered as such); To facilitate access to Communities of Practice and knowledge submission workflows; To send you platform notifications and, where you have opted in, newsletters and updates; To improve the platform through aggregated analytics (no individual profiling); To comply with legal obligations.
Legal Basis for Processing
Consent for newsletter subscriptions and optional profile publication; Contract for managing your user account and platform access; Legitimate interests for platform security, fraud prevention, and analytics.
Data Sharing
ACBF does not sell personal data. Data may be shared with: Authorized platform administrators and editorial staff; Third-party service providers (e.g., hosting, email delivery) under data processing agreements; The African Union or its organs, where required by ACBF's legal obligations as an AU specialized agency. All third-party processors are contractually bound to handle data securely and only for the specified purposes.
Data Retention
Account data is retained for as long as your account is active. If you delete your account, personal data is removed within 30 days, except where retention is required by law or ACBF's institutional records policies.
Your Rights
You have the right to: Access the personal data we hold about you; Correct inaccurate data; Request deletion of your account and associated personal data; Withdraw consent for optional data uses (e.g., newsletters); Lodge a complaint with ACBF's data protection contact. To exercise any of these rights, contact: email.
Cookies
The Capacity Knowledge Hub platform uses cookies to maintain your login session, remember your language preference, and collect anonymized analytics data. You can manage cookie preferences in your browser settings.
Security
ACBF implements appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect personal data against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These include encrypted data transmission (HTTPS), access controls, and regular security reviews.
International Transfers
The Capacity Knowledge Hub platform is hosted on servers located in Africa. If data is transferred outside this jurisdiction, ACBF ensures appropriate safeguards are in place.
Changes to This Policy
This policy may be updated periodically. Users will be notified of material changes via the platform.