Privacy & Cookies Policy 

At Africa Rating Hub (ARH), confidentiality, data integrity and analytical independence constitute fundamental components of our evaluation infrastructure.

ARH recognizes that startups submit highly sensitive strategic, financial, operational and governance-related information during the evaluation process. We therefore apply strict internal confidentiality standards designed to protect the integrity, security and controlled use of submitted data and documents.

1. Scope of Information Collected 

To conduct an ARH evaluation, diagnostic or rating process, ARH may collect and process information including, but not limited to:

Corporate & Governance Information

• Company registration documents

• Shareholding structures

• Governance and legal documentation

• Founders' agreements

• Regulatory licenses and compliance records

Financial & Transactional Information

• Financial statements

• Management accounts

• Revenue reports

• Bank and mobile money statements

• Cash flow projections

• Capital structure information

Operational & Commercial Information

• Customer and traction metrics

• Unit economics (CAC, LTV, ARPU)

• Commercial contracts

• Strategic partnerships

• Operational performance indicators

Team & Organizational Information

• Executive profiles

• Organizational structure

• Key management information

• Workforce-related documentation

2. Purpose & Permitted Use of Information 

All information submitted to ARH is used exclusively for:

• startup evaluation;

• analytical scoring;

• Data Trust Score (DTS) verification;

• report generation;

• risk assessment;

• and internal analytical benchmarking.

ARH does not commercialize, resell or publicly disclose confidential raw startup data.

Submitted information shall never be used for unauthorized commercial exploitation, investment solicitation or competitive disclosure purposes.

3. Confidentiality & Restricted Access 

Access to sensitive startup information is strictly restricted to authorized ARH personnel directly involved in the evaluation process.

ARH applies internal confidentiality controls designed to minimize unauthorized access, disclosure or misuse of submitted materials.

All submitted documents, financial records and strategic materials are treated as confidential unless explicit written authorization is provided by the submitting entity.

4. Data Verification & Analytical Integrity  

ARH reserves the right to:

• request additional supporting evidence;

• conduct clarification interviews;

• validate inconsistencies;

• reject unverifiable submissions;

• or suspend evaluations where evidence quality is deemed insufficient.

The startup remains solely responsible for the authenticity, legality and accuracy of all submitted information and documents.

5. Data Storage & Security Measures 

Submitted information is stored within secured cloud-based environments and protected through controlled-access protocols.

ARH applies reasonable technical and organizational safeguards intended to reduce risks related to:

• unauthorized access;

• data leakage;

• accidental disclosure;

• document alteration;

• or loss of sensitive information.

However, no digital infrastructure can guarantee absolute security.

6. Benchmarking & Data Anonymization 

ARH may use aggregated and anonymized analytical data for:

• internal benchmarking;

• sector-level research;

• methodological improvement;

• and statistical analysis.

No anonymized dataset shall intentionally identify an individual startup without prior written consent.

7. Data Retention & Deletion 

ARH retains submitted information only for the duration reasonably necessary to:

• maintain analytical records;

• preserve rating history;

• support methodological consistency;

• and comply with applicable legal or regulatory obligations.

Upon written request, ARH may permanently remove certain raw submitted files from active operational environments, subject to legal and audit-related retention requirements.

8. Cookies & Platform Functionality

The ARH platform uses limited essential cookies strictly necessary for:

• website functionality;

• session integrity;

• security management;

• and basic platform performance.

ARH does not intentionally use invasive third-party advertising or behavioral tracking cookies.

9. Regulatory Positioning

ARH operates as an independent analytical evaluation infrastructure and not as a regulated credit rating agency, investment advisor or licensed financial institution.

ARH aligns its internal confidentiality and data handling practices with internationally recognized privacy and data protection principles, including GDPR-inspired operational standards where reasonably applicable.

10. Reciprocal Non-Disclosure Principle

By voluntarily initiating an evaluation, diagnostic or rating process with ARH, both parties acknowledge a reciprocal confidentiality understanding covering all sensitive operational, strategic and financial information exchanged during the engagement.

11. Policy Updates & Methodological Changes

ARH reserves the right to update this Privacy, Confidentiality & Cookie Policy at any time.

Any material modification affecting data handling practices, confidentiality standards or methodological structures may be officially published on the ARH website and accompanied by an explanatory notice where necessary.

12. Contact

For privacy-related questions, correction requests or confidentiality concerns, please contact: contact@africaratinghub.com