1. Introduction

We are committed to protecting your privacy and safeguarding your personal data. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect your information when you visit our website, use our services, become a member, or interact with us.

By accessing our website and using our services, you consent to the practices described in this policy.

2. Who We Are

The African Startup Association is a pan-African organization based in Cameroon, dedicated to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. Our registered office is in Cameroon.

3. Information We Collect

We collect information that you provide directly to us and information about your use of our services.

a) Information You Provide:

• Personal Details: Name, email address, phone number, location/country, photograph.
• Professional Information: Company name, job title, educational background, skills, CV/resume.
• Membership Data: Information provided when applying for membership, including your interests and project descriptions.
• Financial Information: Limited data necessary for processing membership fees or donations (though we use third-party payment processors who handle this data directly).
• Communications: Records of your correspondence with us, including emails and messages.
• Event Registration: Information provided when signing up for our workshops, webinars, or conferences.

b) Information Collected Automatically:

• Usage Data: Information about how you use our website, including your IP address, browser type, pages visited, time spent on pages, and referring website addresses. We collect this using cookies and similar tracking technologies.
• Device Information: Information about the device you use to access our services, such as hardware model, operating system, and unique device identifiers.

4. How We Use Your Information

We use your information for the following purposes:

• To provide, maintain, and improve our services and membership benefits.
• To process your membership application and manage your account.
• To communicate with you about updates, events, training opportunities, and relevant news.
• To connect innovators with investors, mentors, and corporate partners (only with your explicit consent).
• To personalize your experience on our website.
• To analyze trends and usage to improve our website and services.
• To ensure the security and integrity of our services.
• To comply with legal obligations.

5. Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR Compliance)

For users in the European Union, we process your data based on the following legal grounds:

• Consent: Where you have given clear consent for us to process your data for a specific purpose (e.g., marketing emails, connecting you to an investor).
• Contract: Processing necessary for the performance of a contract with you (e.g., providing member services).
• Legitimate Interests: Processing necessary for our legitimate interests in operating and improving our association, which do not override your fundamental rights.

6. How We Share Your Information

We value your trust and do not sell your personal data. We may share your information in the following limited circumstances:

• With Your Consent: We will explicitly ask for your permission before sharing your information with third parties like investors, partner companies, or other members for networking purposes.
• Service Providers: We share data with trusted third-party vendors who provide services on our behalf, such as payment processing, data analysis, email delivery, and hosting services. These partners are bound by strict data protection agreements.
• Legal Requirements: We may disclose information if required by law, regulation, legal process, or governmental request.
• Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or asset sale, your information may be transferred, but we will notify you and ensure the same level of privacy protection.

7. International Data Transfers

As a pan-African organization, your information may be processed in countries other than your own. We ensure that all transfers are protected by appropriate safeguards, such as standard contractual clauses, and that all entities processing your data provide an adequate level of protection.

8. Your Data Rights

You have the following rights regarding your personal data:

• Access: You can request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
• Correction: You can request that we correct any inaccurate or incomplete data.
• Erasure: You can request the deletion of your personal data under certain conditions.
• Restriction: You can request that we temporarily or permanently stop processing all or some of your personal data.
• Objection: You can object to us processing your data based on legitimate interests.
• Data Portability: You can request a structured, machine-readable copy of your data to transfer to another service.
• Withdraw Consent: Where we rely on your consent, you can withdraw it at any time.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at privacy@africanstartupassociation.org.

9. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your data from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. However, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee its absolute security.

10. Data Retention

We will retain your personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements.

11. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our website uses cookies to distinguish you from other users and to enhance your experience. You can set your browser to refuse all or some browser cookies, but this may impair the functionality of our website.

12. Links to Other Websites

Our website may contain links to third-party sites. This Privacy Policy does not apply to those sites, and we are not responsible for their content or privacy practices. We encourage you to read the privacy policies of any external sites you visit.

13. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new policy on this page and updating the "Last Updated" date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

14. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us at: