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Le nouveau pacte européen sur la migration entre en vigueur ce 12 juin. Au programme : détentions prolongées, y compris pour les mineurs étrangers non accompagnés et les familles avec mineurs.

- Articles / Migrants Balkans, Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso, Questions européennes, Populations, minorités et migrations, Albanie, Bosnie-Herzégovine, Bulgarie, Croatie, Grèce, Kosovo, Macédoine du Nord, Moldavie, Monténégro, Roumanie, Serbie, Slovénie, Turquie, Gratuit

Le nouveau pacte européen sur la migration entre en vigueur ce 12 juin. Au programme : détentions prolongées, y compris pour les mineurs étrangers non accompagnés et les familles avec mineurs.

- Articles / Migrants Balkans, Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso, Questions européennes, Populations, minorités et migrations, Albanie, Bosnie-Herzégovine, Bulgarie, Croatie, Grèce, Kosovo, Macédoine du Nord, Moldavie, Monténégro, Roumanie, Serbie, Slovénie, Turquie, Gratuit

Le nouveau pacte européen sur la migration entre en vigueur ce 12 juin. Au programme : détentions prolongées, y compris pour les mineurs étrangers non accompagnés et les familles avec mineurs.

- Articles / Migrants Balkans, Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso, Questions européennes, Populations, minorités et migrations, Albanie, Bosnie-Herzégovine, Bulgarie, Croatie, Grèce, Kosovo, Macédoine du Nord, Moldavie, Monténégro, Roumanie, Serbie, Slovénie, Turquie, Gratuit

Le nouveau pacte européen sur la migration entre en vigueur ce 12 juin. Au programme : détentions prolongées, y compris pour les mineurs étrangers non accompagnés et les familles avec mineurs.

- Articles / Migrants Balkans, Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso, Questions européennes, Populations, minorités et migrations, Albanie, Bosnie-Herzégovine, Bulgarie, Croatie, Grèce, Kosovo, Macédoine du Nord, Moldavie, Monténégro, Roumanie, Serbie, Slovénie, Turquie, Gratuit

The rapid expansion of digital health has fundamentally challenged the traditional territorial boundaries of healthcare regulation within the European Union. While the promise of seamless cross-border medical care grows, the legal realities of managing patient safety, professional liability, and regulatory harmonisation remain complex. Supported by a UACES Microgrant, I recently spent three months as a Visiting Scholar at the Faculty of Law and Criminology at KU Leuven (March 2 – May 29, 2026) to dive deeper into these pressing challenges. This research stay provided an invaluable opportunity to advance my doctoral research, engage with leading European health law experts, and share my findings within a vibrant, interdisciplinary academic community.

 

Faculty of Law and Criminology – KU Leuven

Project Activities and Intellectual Outcomes

My time in Belgium was structured around translating theoretical legal analysis into concrete scholarly contributions and academic dialogue. A central pillar of my activities was the dissemination of my latest research on the intersection of EU internal market principles and digital health delivery.

During my stay, I finalised two major publication projects that address critical regulatory gaps in the current European healthcare landscape:

First, I completed an article titled “The Telemedicine Paradox: Why Data Moves but Care Does Not”, recently published in the the European Journal of Health Law. This paper examines how the legal framework for cross-border telemedicine remains fragmented and argues that for the EHDS Regulation to succeed, it must move beyond technical interoperabil­ity to address the underlying legal-ethical conflicts of digital sovereignty.

I drafted and submitted a second paper, “The Digital Scalpel in Cross-border Telemedicine: Slicing the Medical Act in DrSmile case,” which is forthcoming in the European Journal of Risk Regulation. This paper examines how corporate digital health models challenge traditional definitions of the “medical act” across national borders.

Beyond writing, the research stay served as a platform for continuous peer review and academic exchange. On April 24, 2026, I presented the core arguments of my DrSmile paper at the “Pitch Please” seminar series at KU Leuven. This interactive format allowed me to gather crucial feedback and recommendations from fellow doctoral students and senior researchers just before final publication.

A major milestone of my stay occurred on May 20, 2026, when I delivered my Doctoral Seminar. This milestone session allowed me to present the comprehensive legal framework of my Ph.D. project alongside the outcomes of my first chapter and drafted articles to the host faculty, marking a significant step forward in my academic progression.

 

Library of the University of Leuven

The Power of Proximity: How the Microgrant Supported My Development

The financial and institutional backing of the UACES Microgrant was instrumental in embedding my research within the geographical heart of European governance. Being based in the Brussels-Leuven ecosystem allowed me to participate in high-level policy discussions that would have been inaccessible from afar.

For instance, on April 23, 2026, I attended the fourth edition of the Health, Ethics, Law and Technology Symposium in Brussels, which focused explicitly on the implementation of the European Health Data Space (EHDS) Regulation. Engaging with policymakers and legal experts a year into the EHDS rollout provided me with real-time insights into how data portability and digital infrastructure are being operationalised at the EU level.

Furthermore, this stay facilitated vital cross-institutional collaboration. On May 28, 2026, I was invited as a guest speaker to the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) by the Health & Ageing Law Lab (HALL) for their monthly HELT Talks series. This invitation not only expanded my professional network but also allowed me to position my research within broader conversations regarding digital health access.

Parallel to my individual research, the stay provided the perfect environment to execute my leadership responsibilities as the Co-Chair of the Young Scholars Interest Group (YSIG) of the European Association of Health Law. While at KU Leuven, I continued my work as a member of the Scientific Committee organizing the upcoming Young Scholars Workshop for the 10th EAHL Conference in Uppsala (September 2026). Additionally, I was appointed Co-Editor of the conference’s upcoming Special Issue.

 

A small glimpse of Leuven

 

Key Findings and Academic Learnings

My research stay yielded several critical insights regarding the future of EU health law, particularly concerning how cross-border digital health interacts with national jurisdictions. First, as explored in my forthcoming DrSmile paper, the commercialisation and digitalisation of healthcare are unbundling traditional medical procedures. When a medical service is split into digital triaging, remote prescription, and localised execution across different Member States, assigning regulatory accountability and liability becomes incredibly complex. Second, participating in specialised academic forums widened my research lens. It underscored that the regulation of cross-border telemedicine cannot look at market access alone; it must actively account for algorithmic bias and the fundamental right to equal healthcare access.

 

Moving Forward

The three months spent at KU Leuven, enabled by the UACES Microgrant, have been transformative for both my doctoral thesis and my professional growth. By combining intensive writing with active participation in European health law networks, I have been able to anchor my theoretical research in the practical realities of current EU digital governance.

I am deeply grateful to UACES, my host Prof. Steven Lierman, and the academic communities in Leuven and Brussels for their support, critique, and inspiration. The insights gained during this stay will undoubtedly shape my work on EU internal market law and digital health for years to come.

The post Bridging the Gaps in Cross-Border Telemedicine: Reflections on a Brussels-Leuven Research Journey appeared first on Ideas on Europe.

Data cables connected on network switches in a computer server room. Scott Rodgerson on Unsplash Credit: Africa Renewal

By United Nations Economic Commission for Africa
UNITED NATIONS, Jun 12 2026 (IPS)

African leaders are sharpening their focus on digital sovereignty, warning that the continent’s economic future will depend not just on connectivity, but on who controls its data—and where it is stored.

At a high-level roundtable during the 58th session of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa Conference of Ministers, held in Tangiers, Morocco, in April 2026, policymakers and technology leaders signaled a decisive shift in Africa’s digital ambitions: from being consumers of technology to becoming architects of their own digital infrastructure and data ecosystems.

Central to this shift is the idea of “sovereign data”—ensuring that African data is stored, processed and governed within the continent.

Participants emphasized that digital independence is no longer optional; it is a prerequisite for economic security and national resilience.

“Digital public infrastructure is as vital today as electricity,” said Américo Muchanga, Mozambique’s Minister of Communications and Digital Transformation. But, he added, infrastructure alone is not enough. Governments must now decide how to classify and manage their data—what remains within national borders, and what can be shared—so that its value benefits African economies.

Beyond infrastructure: entering the “age of intelligence”

For years, Africa’s digital agenda has focused on expanding connectivity—laying fiber, increasing mobile access, and building platforms for public services. While that remains essential, leaders say the conversation must evolve.

Digital public infrastructure (DPI), often described as the “rails” of the digital economy, must now carry something more valuable: intelligence.

As artificial intelligence reshapes economies globally, Africa faces a critical question—will it simply adopt external systems, or build its own?

“Africa must prioritize local data processing and systems that reflect its realities,” said Ambassador Philip Thigo, Kenya’s Special Envoy on Technology. He warned that relying on imported models risks entrenching systems that do not capture African languages, contexts or economic needs.

The solution, participants argued, lies in investing in local talent and capabilities—from data science to AI model training—so that innovation is grounded in African realities.

Building the backbone: data centres and “AI factories”

A recurring theme was the urgent need for infrastructure that can support this transition. Data centres—described as the backbone of the digital economy—remain in short supply.

“Africa needs to increase its data centre capacity tenfold,” said Adil El Youssefi, CEO of Africa Data Centres at Cassava Technologies.

Currently, the continent generates less than 1% of global data despite accounting for nearly 20% of the world’s population.

To bridge this gap, participants called for the development of “AI factories”—facilities capable of storing and processing large volumes of data locally. These would not only support AI development but also ensure that the economic value derived from data remains within Africa.

However, such investments require reliable and affordable energy, as well as long-term financing—two persistent challenges across the continent.

A new model: data embassies and regional cooperation

Among the more innovative ideas discussed was the concept of “data embassies”—shared infrastructure that allows countries to store data securely across borders while maintaining sovereignty.

This model, participants said, could help smaller economies overcome the high costs of building standalone data infrastructure, while strengthening regional integration.

It also reflects a broader push toward collaboration.

Pius Chaya, Tanzania’s Deputy Minister for Planning and Investment, stressed the need for strong public-private partnerships, underpinned by robust cybersecurity and data protection frameworks.

Without trust, he noted, digital systems cannot scale.

From policy to execution

While Africa has made strides in developing digital strategies, leaders acknowledged a familiar challenge: implementation.

Ndaba Gaolathe, Vice President and Finance Minister of Botswana, pointed to a gap between policy ambition and real-world impact. Botswana, he said, is addressing this by using a universal service fund—financed through a levy on mobile operators—to expand connectivity to underserved communities.

“The time for planning alone is over,” he said. “We must now focus on execution.”

This call for “mega execution” reflects a growing urgency to translate strategies into tangible benefits—jobs, services, and economic growth.

Inclusion and measurement

Despite progress, nearly one billion Africans remain offline, even in areas with mobile coverage. Industry representatives, including the GSMA, urged governments to remove taxes on mobile devices to make digital access more affordable.

At the same time, measuring the economic impact of digital transformation remains a challenge.

“If we cannot measure the contribution of technology to GDP, we cannot monetize it,” said Claver Gatete, UNECA’s Executive Secretary. Strengthening national statistical systems, he added, is essential for evidence-based policymaking and accountability.

A defining moment

As Africa accelerates its digital transformation, the stakes are becoming clearer. Data is no longer just a byproduct of the digital economy—it is its most valuable asset.

The discussions in Tangier point to a continent at a crossroads: one that must decide whether to remain a consumer in the global digital order, or to assert control over its data, technologies and economic destiny.

The message from leaders was unmistakable—Africa’s digital future must be built in Africa, and for Africa.

Source: Africa Renewal, United Nations

IPS UN Bureau

 

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Excerpt:

From data embassies to AI “factories,” policymakers say control over data will define the continent’s economic future.

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