Last Updated: 6 October 2026
The All Africa Association for Small and Medium Enterprises (AAASME) (“AAASME”, “we”, “us” or “our”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting the personal information of visitors, members, partners, stakeholders and users of our website.
This Privacy Policy explains how AAASME collects, uses, stores, protects and otherwise processes personal information when you visit or interact with our website:
AAASME is a non-governmental organisation and advocacy body focused on promoting, supporting and developing the SME ecosystem in Africa.
By using our website, submitting information through our forms, subscribing to our communications, applying for membership, or otherwise interacting with our services, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy.
Who We Are
The All Africa Association for Small and Medium Enterprises (AAASME) is responsible for the processing of personal information collected through the AAASME website and related digital platforms, subject to applicable data-protection laws.
For privacy-related enquiries, you may contact the AAASME Tech Support through:
Email: aaasmetech@gmail.com
AAASME may update its contact details from time to time. The most current contact information will be made available on our website.
Information We Collect
Depending on how you interact with our website, we may collect the following categories of personal information:
A. Information You Provide Directly
When you contact AAASME, request information, apply for membership, subscribe to our communications, participate in an initiative, or complete an online form, we may collect information such as:
- Full name
- Email address
- Telephone/mobile number
- Organisation or company name
- Job title or professional position
- Country and/or location
- Business information
- Membership information
- Information contained in your enquiry or correspondence
- Any other information you voluntarily provide to us
You should only provide personal information that is accurate and necessary for the purpose for which it is requested.
B. Information Collected Automatically
When you visit our website, certain technical information may be collected automatically, including:
- IP address
- Browser type and version
- Device type
- Operating system
- Pages visited
- Date and time of visits
- Referring website or page
- General website usage and interaction information
This information may be used to maintain website security, understand how visitors use our website and improve our digital services.
How We Collect Personal Information
We may collect information:
- When you visit or browse our website;
- When you submit an enquiry or request;
- When you apply for AAASME membership;
- When you subscribe to our newsletter or other communications;
- When you participate in AAASME programmes, events, initiatives or surveys;
- When you communicate with AAASME by email, telephone or other channels;
- When you voluntarily provide information to us;
- Through cookies and similar technologies; and
- Where legally permitted, from third parties or publicly available sources.
Why We Collect and Use Your Information
AAASME may process your personal information for legitimate organisational and operational purposes, including to:
- Respond to enquiries and requests;
- Process membership applications;
- Communicate with members, partners, stakeholders and other interested persons;
- Provide information about AAASME programmes, activities and initiatives;
- Send newsletters, publications, announcements and other communications where permitted;
- Organise events, meetings, conferences, consultations and programmes;
- Conduct research, surveys and stakeholder engagement;
- Improve our website, content and services;
- Understand website usage and visitor preferences;
- Protect the security and integrity of our website;
- Prevent fraud, misuse or unauthorised access;
- Maintain organisational records;
- Meet applicable legal and regulatory obligations; and
- Protect AAASME’s rights, property and legitimate interests.
We will not use your personal information for purposes that are incompatible with the purpose for which it was collected unless permitted or required by applicable law.
Legal Basis for Processing
Where applicable, AAASME will process personal information on one or more lawful bases recognised under applicable data-protection legislation.
These may include:
- Your consent, where you have voluntarily agreed to a specific use of your information;
- Performance of a contract or requested service, such as processing a membership application;
- Compliance with a legal or regulatory obligation;
- Protection of legitimate interests, where such processing is lawful and does not unfairly override your rights; and
- Other lawful bases permitted under applicable data-protection legislation.
Where processing is based on consent, you may withdraw that consent subject to applicable legal or contractual limitations.
Cookies and Similar Technologies
The AAASME website may use cookies and similar technologies to improve functionality, analyse website usage and enhance your experience.
Cookies are small files stored on your device when you visit a website.
Cookies may help us to:
- Remember website preferences;
- Understand how visitors navigate our website;
- Measure website performance;
- Improve website functionality; and
- Support security and technical operations.
Some cookies may be placed by third-party services used on our website.
Where required by applicable law, AAASME will provide appropriate cookie information and give visitors the opportunity to accept, reject or manage non-essential cookies.
You can also adjust cookie settings through your browser. Please note that disabling certain cookies may affect some website functionality.
Third-Party Services
AAASME may use third-party service providers to support website operations and organisational activities.
These may include providers of:
- Website hosting;
- Website analytics;
- Email and communication services;
- Online forms;
- Membership or registration services;
- Event registration;
- Security services;
- Social media integrations; and
- Other technology or administrative services.
Where third parties process personal information on our behalf, AAASME will take reasonable steps to ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place and that such information is processed only for authorised purposes.
Third-party websites and services linked to or accessible through the AAASME website may have their own privacy policies. AAASME is not responsible for the privacy practices of websites that we do not own or control.
Social Media
AAASME maintains and may link to social-media platforms and other third-party digital services.
Interactions with AAASME through platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter or other social networks may be subject to the privacy policies and terms of those platforms.
We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party platform before providing personal information through it.
Sharing Your Personal Information
AAASME does not sell, rent or trade your personal information.
We may disclose personal information where reasonably necessary to:
- Service providers working on our behalf;
- Professional advisers and consultants;
- Event or programme partners;
- Technology and hosting providers;
- Relevant regulatory or government authorities where required by law;
- Law-enforcement authorities where legally required;
- Organisations involved in a programme or initiative where disclosure is necessary and lawful; or
- Other parties where you have provided appropriate consent.
Where personal information is shared, AAASME will seek to ensure that appropriate privacy and security safeguards are applied.
International Transfers
Because AAASME operates within an African and international environment, personal information may in certain circumstances be processed or stored in countries outside Nigeria.
Where personal information is transferred across borders, AAASME will take reasonable steps to ensure that the transfer and subsequent processing are carried out in accordance with applicable data-protection requirements and that appropriate safeguards are applied.
Data Retention
AAASME will retain personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes for which it was collected, including:
- Providing requested services;
- Maintaining membership or organisational records;
- Managing programmes and initiatives;
- Fulfilling legal or regulatory obligations;
- Resolving disputes; and
- Protecting AAASME’s legitimate interests.
When personal information is no longer required, we will take reasonable steps to securely delete, anonymise or otherwise dispose of it, subject to applicable legal or operational requirements.
Data Security
AAASME takes reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect personal information against:
- Unauthorised access;
- Loss;
- Misuse;
- Unauthorised disclosure;
- Alteration; and
- Destruction.
However, no internet transmission or electronic storage system can be guaranteed to be completely secure.
You should therefore take appropriate precautions when transmitting personal information online.
Your Privacy Rights
Subject to applicable law, you may have rights regarding the personal information AAASME holds about you.
These may include the right to:
- Request access to your personal information;
- Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information;
- Request deletion of personal information where legally permissible;
- Request restriction of certain processing;
- Object to certain processing;
- Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent;
- Request information about how your personal information is being processed; and
- Lodge a complaint regarding the processing of your personal information.
Some rights may be subject to legal exceptions or limitations.
To exercise your rights, contact the AAASME Support using the contact details provided in this Privacy Policy.
Direct Marketing and Communications
Where you have subscribed to receive communications from AAASME, we may send you information relating to:
- AAASME news;
- Events and conferences;
- SME programmes and initiatives;
- Publications and reports;
- Membership opportunities;
- Research and policy updates;
- Partnerships; and
- Other relevant organisational activities.
You may unsubscribe from marketing or non-essential communications at any time by following the unsubscribe instructions provided in the communication or by contacting us.
Children's Privacy
The AAASME website is primarily intended for businesses, professionals, organisations, entrepreneurs, policymakers, researchers, partners and other stakeholders.
We do not knowingly collect personal information from children for purposes that are not permitted by applicable law.
Where we become aware that personal information has been collected from a child in circumstances where parental or guardian consent is required, we will take reasonable steps to address the situation in accordance with applicable law.
Links to Other Websites
Our website may contain links to third-party websites, including websites belonging to partner organisations, government institutions, development organisations, social-media platforms and other stakeholders.
These websites operate independently from AAASME and may have their own privacy policies.
AAASME is not responsible for the privacy practices, content or security of third-party websites.
We recommend reviewing the privacy policy of any third-party website before providing personal information.
Changes to This Privacy Policy
AAASME may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect:
- Changes in our activities;
- Changes to our website;
- Changes in technology;
- Changes in applicable legislation or regulatory requirements; or
- Improvements to our privacy practices.
When we make changes, we will update the “Last Updated” date at the beginning of this policy.
We encourage visitors to review this page periodically.
Complaints and Privacy Concerns
If you have a question, concern or complaint regarding the way AAASME handles your personal information, please contact:
AAASME Secretariat
Email: aaasmetech@gmail.com
Website: https://aaasme.africa
Please provide sufficient information about your concern so that we can properly investigate and respond.
Where you are dissatisfied with our response, you may have the right to lodge a complaint with the relevant data-protection authority, including the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) where applicable.
Governing Law
This Privacy Policy shall be interpreted and applied in accordance with applicable data-protection and privacy laws and regulations, including the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, where applicable.
Where AAASME’s activities involve individuals or organisations in other jurisdictions, additional privacy rights or requirements may apply.
Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, wish to exercise a privacy right, or want to make a privacy-related enquiry, please contact:
All Africa Association for Small and Medium Enterprises (AAASME)
Email: aaasmetech@gmail.com
Website: https://aaasme.africa
