Data protection law in Ethiopia: registration and research permits
What a survey team needs to know about personal data and survey authorization in Ethiopia.
Summary for planning; confirm requirements with the regulator before fieldwork.
law adopted, regulator not confirmed operational
Data protection law
Personal Data Protection Proclamation No. 1321/2024 (2024)
Regulator
provided for under the proclamation (Ethiopian Communications Authority roles); details pending
Registration
registration/notification regime under the proclamation; implementing rules pending
Survey permits
ESS authorization required under the Ethiopian Statistics Service Proclamation 1262/2021
National statistics office
Note
Proclamation 1321/2024, adopted in March 2024, is Ethiopia's first comprehensive data protection law.
Ethiopia research rules: common questions
Is there a data protection law in Ethiopia?
Personal Data Protection Proclamation No. 1321/2024 (2024).
Who regulates personal data in Ethiopia?
provided for under the proclamation (Ethiopian Communications Authority roles); details pending.
Do I need to register to collect personal data in Ethiopia?
Registration/notification regime under the proclamation; implementing rules pending.
Do I need a permit to run a survey in Ethiopia?
ESS authorization required under the Ethiopian Statistics Service Proclamation 1262/2021.
Sources: the regulator and statistics office pages linked above, retrieved 10 Oct 2026. See our methods.