This policy explains what data we collect, why we use it, who it may be shared with, how long it is kept and what your rights are. It applies in particular to quote requests, newsletter subscriptions, WhatsApp conversations, payments and other interactions with Ekilam.
This page is intended to provide clear information to users. It does not replace the terms and policies of third-party services you use, including WhatsApp/Meta, FedaPay, Google or Brevo.
1. Data controller
The data controller for personal data is:
Ekilam Africa
Parakou, Benin
RCCM : RB/PKO/25 B 1309
Email: hello@ekilam.com
Secondary email: ekilam.africa@gmail.com
Phone / WhatsApp: +229 01 49 81 11 11
For any question about this policy or the use of your personal data, you can contact us using the details above.
2. Personal data collected
As part of its activities, Ekilam may collect the following categories of data:
- identification data: surname, first name, organization, company, role or project, when this information is provided;
- contact details: email address, phone number, WhatsApp identifier, city or country of residence;
- data related to quote and project requests: description of the need, requested services, estimated budget, company location, documents or attachments voluntarily provided;
- newsletter data: email address, consent, subscription date, IP address and browser information useful for proving consent;
- communication data: messages sent through the form, email, phone, WhatsApp or any other channel used to communicate with Ekilam;
- technical data: IP address, browser type, device used, pages viewed, date and time of connection, technical logs and security-related information;
- data related to cookies, browsing preferences and audience measurement when these features are used;
- payment data when you use a payment service: amount, reference, transaction status, contact details required for payment and information useful for administrative follow-up.
Ekilam only collects the data necessary for the purposes described in this policy.
3. Purposes of processing
Personal data collected may be used to:
- respond to requests sent through the website, by email, phone or WhatsApp;
- prepare quotes, analyze needs, propose support or follow up on a project;
- provide digital, consulting, maintenance, training, marketing or development services;
- send information related to Ekilam services, projects, appointments, invoices, payments, training or opportunities;
- manage newsletter subscriptions and marketing communications when consent is given;
- process or track payments through FedaPay or any other payment provider used;
- improve the website, measure traffic and understand user needs;
- secure the website and services, prevent abuse, fraud or unauthorized access;
- comply with applicable legal, accounting, tax, administrative or regulatory obligations.
4. Use of WhatsApp and Meta services
Ekilam may use WhatsApp, WhatsApp Business or Meta professional tools to communicate with people who contacted it through this channel, requested follow-up or agreed to receive information through WhatsApp.
In this context, the following data may be processed: phone number, name or WhatsApp profile name, message content, voluntarily shared attachments, identifiers needed to route the conversation, date, time and message status.
WhatsApp may be used to answer a request, confirm information, follow up on a project, send useful reminders, provide assistance or share information related to Ekilam services.
Ekilam will not send unsolicited WhatsApp messages without consent or without a relevant prior relationship with the user. You can ask to stop receiving WhatsApp messages at any time by replying "STOP" or by contacting Ekilam at hello{'@'}ekilam.com.
Using WhatsApp also involves the processing of certain data by WhatsApp/Meta, in accordance with their own terms, privacy policies and rules applicable to professional services.
5. Payments and use of FedaPay
When online payments are offered, Ekilam may use FedaPay or other payment providers to process transactions. Data required for payment may include name, email address, phone number, amount, transaction reference, selected payment method and transaction status.
Sensitive payment information, such as card data, validation codes, Mobile Money information or equivalent information, is processed by the payment provider and its financial partners under their own security rules. Ekilam only receives the information needed to follow up on the order, invoice, service or transaction.
Payment data may be kept where necessary for accounting management, fraud prevention, complaint handling and compliance with applicable legal obligations.
7. Legal basis for processing
Depending on the case, data is processed on the basis of:
- the data subject's consent, especially for certain communications, the newsletter, non-essential cookies or WhatsApp messages that are not strictly necessary;
- the performance of a service requested by the user, including a quote request, service, order, payment or support;
- Ekilam's legitimate interest in communicating with its audiences, organizing its activities, improving its services and securing its digital tools;
- applicable legal, administrative, accounting, tax or regulatory obligations.
8. Data recipients
Personal data may only be accessible to authorized people, organizations and service providers, including:
- authorized members of the Ekilam team;
- technical providers responsible for hosting, databases, maintenance, security or storage;
- emailing and messaging providers, including Brevo when email sending or marketing list management is necessary;
- WhatsApp/Meta when communication takes place through WhatsApp or Meta professional tools;
- FedaPay and its financial partners when you use a payment service;
- Google or other audience measurement tools when the relevant cookies are accepted;
- partners involved in a service, training or project, only when necessary;
- administrative, judicial or regulatory authorities when required by law.
Ekilam does not sell users' personal data.
9. Data retention
Personal data is kept for a limited period proportionate to the purposes for which it was collected.
- contact and quote requests are kept for the time needed to process the request, then archived if necessary for commercial follow-up or to defend Ekilam's rights;
- data related to services and projects is kept for the duration of the contractual relationship, then according to the periods required for accounting, tax or legal obligations;
- newsletter data is kept until consent is withdrawn or the user unsubscribes, with possible retention of proof of consent;
- data related to WhatsApp communications is kept for the time needed to follow up on the relationship, unless deletion is requested or retention is required;
- payment and billing data is kept according to the periods required or permitted by accounting, tax, financial and anti-fraud rules;
- cookie preferences are kept for up to 12 months; other technical data is kept for a period proportionate to security, analysis and maintenance needs.
Some data may be kept longer when necessary to comply with a legal, administrative or accounting obligation, or to defend Ekilam's rights.
10. Data security
Ekilam implements reasonable measures to protect personal data against loss, unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure or destruction.
- limiting access to authorized people;
- using secured accounts and protected technical secrets;
- protecting servers, databases, APIs and digital tools;
- verifying signatures or tokens when webhooks and third-party services allow it;
- raising internal users' awareness of confidentiality;
- monitoring access, errors and technical incidents when necessary.
11. Transfers and third-party services
Some services used by Ekilam, including WhatsApp/Meta, FedaPay, Google Analytics, Brevo, hosting services, storage tools, email services or technical tools, may involve processing or transferring data outside Benin.
In this case, Ekilam makes reasonable efforts to use providers offering appropriate confidentiality and security safeguards.
12. Rights of data subjects
In accordance with applicable personal data protection regulations, you may request:
- access to your personal data;
- correction of inaccurate or incomplete data;
- deletion of your data, where possible;
- objection to certain processing operations;
- restriction of certain processing operations;
- withdrawal of your consent when processing is based on consent;
- portability of certain data when this right applies.
To exercise your rights, you can write to hello@ekilam.com or ekilam.africa@gmail.com. Your request must allow us to identify you sufficiently to avoid unauthorized disclosure of data.
13. Unsubscribing and deleting data
You can unsubscribe from marketing communications at any time using the unsubscribe link when available, by replying "STOP" on WhatsApp, or by writing to Ekilam.
To request deletion of data related to an interaction with Ekilam, including through WhatsApp/Meta, send an email with the subject "Delete my data" to hello{'@'}ekilam.com. Ekilam will process the request within a reasonable time, subject to data that must be kept for legal, contractual, accounting, security or rights-defense reasons.
14. Complaint
If you believe that your rights are not respected, you can contact Ekilam to seek a solution.
You may also contact Benin's Personal Data Protection Authority (APDP), where applicable, through its official channels.
15. Minors' data
Ekilam's services are primarily intended for entrepreneurs, businesses, institutions, partners and project owners.
When data concerning minors is collected as part of a specific activity, Ekilam applies appropriate measures and, where necessary, obtains the required authorizations.
16. Changes to this policy
This privacy policy may be changed at any time to reflect changes in Ekilam's services, the tools used or applicable regulations.
The date of the latest update will always be shown at the top of this page.
17. Contact
For any question about this privacy policy or the processing of your personal data, you can contact: