1. Data We Collect

1.1 Information you provide directly

When you apply to EMERGE or use the platform, we collect information, including:

• Name, contact details, and demographic information (age, country, gender)
• Professional history, qualifications, certifications, and CV content
• Profile content you choose to publish (e.g. skills, achievements, voluntary experience)
• Application responses, including motivation statements and career aspirations
• Leadership Compass and other assessment results
• Records of your participation in EMERGE programmes, events, and community activities
• Any feedback, survey responses, or correspondence you share with us

1.2 Automatically collected data

When you interact with the EMERGE platform, we may automatically collect:

• IP address, browser type, device identifiers
• Usage data such as pages viewed, opportunities saved, applications submitted, and session duration
• Cookies and similar tracking technologies

2. Purpose of Data Collection

We use your personal data for the following purposes:

2.1 Programme delivery

• Assessing your application and determining suitability for EMERGE
• Creating and maintaining your member profile
• Matching you with relevant opportunities, peers, mentors, and senior leaders
• Delivering programme content, learning resources, and community engagement
• Administering events, masterminds, coaching cohorts, and other programme activities

2.2 Platform visibility

EMERGE operates as a visibility platform. The profile you build and choose to publish is visible to verified employer partners and organisations on the EMERGE platform, similar to a professional networking site. This visibility is core to how EMERGE connects you with opportunities. You retain control over what appears on your profile and can update, hide, or remove information at any time.

2.3 Communications

• Sending you platform updates, opportunity alerts, newsletters, event invitations, and programme announcements
• Sharing member stories or profiles in marketing materials, with your prior notice and consent

2.4 Programme evaluation, learning, and reporting

• Monitoring and evaluating programme outcomes, including reporting to funding partners (such as the Mastercard Foundation) on aggregate, anonymised programme metrics
• Conducting research, impact assessments, and learning exercises to improve EMERGE
• Generating insights on Africa’s leadership pipeline, using anonymised or aggregated data

2.5 Compliance

Complying with legal obligations, including data protection, anti-fraud, and safeguarding requirements.

3. Legal Basis for Processing

We process personal data under the following lawful bases:

• Consent: When you have explicitly agreed to the use of your data for specific purposes (e.g. submitting an application, opting in to mentorship matching, or appearing in marketing content)
• Contract: When data processing is necessary to deliver EMERGE services to you as a member
• Legitimate interests: For purposes such as platform improvement, programme evaluation, and aggregate reporting
• Legal obligation: When processing is required to comply with applicable laws
  
  

4. Data Sharing

4.1 What is visible on your profile

Verified employer partners and organisations using the EMERGE platform can view profile information you have chosen to publish, similar to a professional networking site.

4.2 What remains private

Your sensitive personal information, including contact details, demographic data, assessment results, application history, and any other information you have not made publicly visible, remains private and is not shared with employers or third parties without your explicit knowledge and approval.

4.3 Third parties we may share data with

• Service providers: Trusted vendors supporting our operations, such as platform hosting providers, communication tools, and analytics platforms, all contractually bound by confidentiality and data protection obligations
• Sub-implementing partners and consultants: Where engaged, contractually bound by confidentiality, data protection, and safeguarding obligations
• Funding and reporting partners: Aggregated, anonymised data may be shared with funders such as the Mastercard Foundation for the purpose of programme reporting and impact evaluation. Personally identifiable data is not shared without your consent
• Legal authorities: Where required by law or to protect our rights and safety

We do not sell or rent personal data to third parties.

5. International Data Transfers

EMERGE operates across multiple African countries, and TheBoardroom Africa is headquartered in Mauritius. As a Pan-African and global programme, your data may be transferred outside your country of residence, including to Mauritius, the EU, and other jurisdictions where our service providers operate. In such cases, we ensure adequate safeguards, including standard contractual clauses, are in place to protect your information.

 

6. Data Retention

If your application is approved, your data will be retained for the duration of your participation in EMERGE and for a reasonable period thereafter, in line with our data retention policy and applicable legal requirements.

If your application is not approved, your data will be retained only for as long as necessary to administer the application process and will then be securely deleted, unless you give us permission to keep it on file for future opportunities.

You may also request deletion of your data at any time, subject to legal and contractual obligations.

7. Your Rights

Under GDPR, the Mauritius Data Protection Act, and other applicable laws, you have the following rights:

• Access: Request access to your personal data
• Rectification: Correct inaccuracies in your data
• Erasure: Request deletion of your data, where legally permissible
• Restriction: Limit the processing of your data
• Data portability: Receive your data in a machine-readable format
• Objection: Object to data processing based on legitimate interests
• Withdraw consent: Revoke consent at any time, regardless of whether your application has been approved or you are an active member
  
  To exercise your rights, please contact us at compliance@theboardroomafrica.com.

 8. Security

We implement technical and organisational safeguards to protect your data, including:

• Access controls and least-privilege access
• Secure electronic storage with encryption or equivalent measures
• Incident and breach response procedures
• Regular review of cybersecurity controls

While we strive to protect your data, no system is entirely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

 

9. Safeguarding

EMERGE is committed to safeguarding the welfare of all members and participants. Our Safeguarding Policy sets out clear standards, reporting pathways, and protections, including in digital and virtual engagement contexts. Concerns can be reported confidentially to compliance@theboardroomafrica.com or via our designated Safeguarding Focal Points.

10. Cookies and Tracking

We use cookies and similar technologies on the EMERGE platform to enhance your experience, remember your preferences, and analyse platform usage. For details, please refer to our Cookie Policy.

11. Updates to This Policy

We may update this policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices, the EMERGE programme, or legal requirements. Updates will be posted on the EMERGE website with the revised effective date. Where changes are material, we will notify you directly through the platform or by email.

12. Complaints

If you believe we have infringed your data protection rights, you have the right to file a complaint with the Mauritius Data Protection Office or your local supervisory authority.

13. Contact Us

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

 

EMERGE, c/o TheBoardroom Africa Email: compliance@theboardroomafrica.com Address: Lot 02, Floor 1, CentrePoint, Trianon, Mauritius 

Web: www.emergeleaders.com

For data protection queries specifically, contact our Data Protection Officer: Kjell Ekstrom, Data Protection Officer Email: kjell.ekstrom@nexusgfs.com