Mine is Yours

Acknowledgments 

We extend our gratitude to all those who contributed to this research study and acknowledge the support provided by Pollicy, which funded this research. 

Executive summary 

What happens to one’s online life and digital wealth when they pass away? In Africa, the answer is evolving fast and it is time that every member of society took notice. Inspired by the need to raise awareness and appreciation of the value of digital assets, this research report investigates the complex landscape of digital asset management and inheritance in Africa, a region grappling with rapid technological advancement alongside deeply rooted traditional inheritance practices. This research examines how digital assets are managed and inherited in Africa focusing on Malawi, Ghana and Tanzania as pilot countries. It explores the gaps in the evolving legal frameworks, and the influence of social and cultural practices on asset planning. 

Key findings include: (I) A lack of sufficient understanding of the scope and nature of digital assets, (II) Africa faces several complexities in generating her unique technological progress for innovation, especially in the development of digital inheritance platforms. (III) Current inheritance frameworks and policies do not adequately recognize digital assets and this has created significant uncertainty and disputes among heirs. (IV) Digital literacy on digital asset management and secure storage is still a new and complex matter for individuals and families across Africa. The reliance on subscription-based models, and cloud storage creates uncertainties in ownership and access, increasing the risk of digital asset loss and lastly, (V) African norms and customs do not adequately address digital asset planning, and remain in friction with modern technology. 

This research report concludes with several recommendations for policymakers, human rights defenders, legal practitioners, and technology providers to address the challenges and maximize the opportunities presented by digital asset inheritance in Africa. These recommendations include: strengthening the existing inheritance legal frameworks to ensure they adequately address digital assets, promoting digital and financial literacy, supporting the development of digital inheritance solutions and engaging with various stakeholders in the digital inheritance space. 

This research contributes to general knowledge as there is limited African literature on understanding digital asset inheritance. With this knowledge, there will be a greater appreciation that the future of inheritance lies in adapting to the digital world, ensuring that our online lives are as well-planned as our offline ones, and ensuring the just and equitable distribution of digital wealth in Africa.

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