1. Overview
This Cookie Policy explains how the Intra-African Energy Trade & Investment Forum (“IAETIF”), an initiative of the Africa Energy Technology Centre (“AETC”), uses cookies, browser storage and related technologies on this Site.
It should be read with our Privacy Policy, which explains how personal information is handled more broadly.
2. What cookies and similar technologies are
A cookie is a small text file a website asks a browser to store. Similar technologies include local storage, pixels, software development kits and device identifiers. They may remember settings, maintain security, measure use or support advertising.
These technologies can be “session” technologies that end when the browser closes, or “persistent” technologies that remain until they expire or are deleted. They can be placed by the website you visit (“first party”) or by another service (“third party”).
3. What the IAETIF Site currently uses
The Site uses a first-party local-storage record to remember your consent selection and may use short-lived technical processing required for security, form validation and delivery. Vercel Web Analytics is available as an optional, consent-dependent service and is not loaded unless you enable Analytics.
| Technology | Provider | Purpose | Duration | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iaetif-consent-v1 (local storage) | IAETIF / AETC | Records the consent version, chosen optional categories and preference timestamps | Up to 180 days | Strictly necessary |
| Vercel Web Analytics script and intake | Vercel | Measures aggregated page views, navigation sources, approximate geography and device or browser attributes after opt-in; Vercel states that it does not use third-party cookies | Temporary visitor hash discarded after 24 hours; aggregated reporting subject to the configured service settings | Analytics — optional |
| Submission rate-limit signal | IAETIF / AETC | Temporarily reduces automated or abusive form submissions using a hashed network-derived value | Approximately 10 minutes in active server memory | Strictly necessary |
| Infrastructure security and delivery records | Hosting and email-delivery providers | Delivers Site requests and enquiries, diagnoses failures and protects service integrity | Provider-dependent, limited to operational and legal need | Strictly necessary |
This inventory will be updated before any additional preference, analytics or marketing technology is activated.
4. Consent categories
Strictly necessary
Required to operate the Site, protect forms, remember privacy choices or provide a service you request. These cannot be disabled through the preference centre, although you may delete local storage in your browser.
Preferences
Optional technologies that remember enhanced display, regional or convenience choices. No optional preference technology is currently active.
Analytics
Optional technologies used to understand aggregated visits, navigation and performance. Vercel Web Analytics is loaded only after this category is enabled and does not use third-party cookies.
Marketing
Optional technologies used for advertising, remarketing or cross-site campaign measurement. No marketing provider is currently active.
5. How consent works
On a first visit, the consent banner offers three direct choices: reject non-essential technologies, customise categories or accept all. Optional categories remain off until you make a positive choice.
Your selection is stored for up to 180 days. We may ask again sooner if the policy, technology inventory or consent version changes. Rejecting optional technologies does not prevent access to the core Site.
6. Change or withdraw your choice
You can reopen the preference centre at any time by selecting Cookie settings in the footer. Withdrawing consent is as easy as granting it and applies to future use.
You may also delete Site data through your browser. Deleting the consent record means the banner will appear again on your next visit.
7. Browser and device controls
Most browsers allow you to inspect, block and delete cookies or local storage. Blocking all storage can prevent the Site from remembering your privacy choice and may affect future functionality.
Browser “do not track” signals are not consistently standardised. IAETIF does not currently conduct cross-site behavioural tracking, regardless of that signal.
8. Third-party services and links
External websites reached through Site links may use their own cookies or storage technologies. IAETIF does not control those technologies. Review the relevant third party’s cookie and privacy information before using its service.
9. New technologies and policy updates
Before introducing any additional non-essential analytics, marketing or preference tool, IAETIF will assess the purpose, provider, retention period and data transfers; update this inventory; and ensure the technology is blocked until the relevant consent is present.
This Policy may be updated to reflect changes in law or technology. The current version and update date are shown above.
10. Contact
Questions about storage technologies or consent may be sent through the IAETIF contact form or to AETC at info@theaetc.org.