As a consultancy firm specializing in legal, governance and corporate services, Akira Consult Ltd is committed to helping businesses of all sizes navigate the complex regulatory landscape and minimize any legal and reputational risk that may distract from the business competing effectively in the ever changing business environment.
Happy Data Privacy Week 2026! We hope part of your celebrations included reading consent acceptance and cookie boxes- we would much rather you eat real cookies 🫠 ! But we digress.. 💡
In the past decade, we have witnessed boards transition from overseeing technology (through the eyes of a dense report from the CIO) to being accountable for it. We’re often asked; “We know AI and Data are risks, but how do we govern them without becoming technologists ourselves?”
In 2026, this evolution takes a decisive leap: governance of Data, Information and Technology is no longer a risk checkbox — it’s a strategic imperative, anchored in a formal governance framework that boards must own and disclose.
Enter South Africa’s King V Code ‘King V’, which took effect this year on 1st January 2026. King V crystallised the paradigm shift placing digital governance squarely at the heart of how boards fulfil their stewardship role over all things ICT.
So what does Principle 10 in the King V require Boards to do?
✔️ Data and Information Governance- Boards must give direction on the management and control of the organisations data and as well ensure measures are put in place to avoid data breaches
✔️ Technology Governance and Cybersecurity- Boards must oversee proper acquisition and deployment of new technologies including AI. Are these invesments having a strategic return? The Board must update their risk frameworks including seeking reports on the performance of cybersecurity measures
✔️ AI Accountability and Human Oversight- Should the organisation be using (Board approved) AI, the Board should understand the strategic and operational value while ensuring that persons in management take accountability for AI decisions and outputs. An ethical view of AI use should also be provided
So where should a Board Director or Company Secretary start? King V suggests that a Board should:
❇️ Strategically discuss Data, IT and AI at the Board level to have an informed view on how to align with strategic objectives
❇️ Intergrate Tech and Data Governance into the corporate governance framework- The Board Charter, Committee Oversight, Agenda inclusion and Board Competency. Also, the annual governance report on ICT should now have more substance with this in mind
❇️ Map the Tech and Data Governance Structure- Relook at the organisation structure and ensure ICT reporting lines, responsibilities, performance metrics are clearly mapped
❇️ Get curious and upskill- Its never too late to learn. Improve your Board’s digital intelligence by having a substantive training on Data, AI and Tech. Thats where we Akira Consult Limited come in!
A Board that treats digital governance as an integrated, forward-looking strategy will outperform its peers. If your board hasn’t updated its governance framework to reflect this new mandate, now is the moment to act.
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