Security is no longer a specialized issue as Africa speeds up its digital transformation; rather, it is a fundamental component of digital trust, resilience, and sovereignty. The goal of this session is to examine the ever-changing opportunities and difficulties associated with safeguarding Africa's digital environment, from national infrastructures to connectivity at the local level. Through a multi-stakeholder lens, the panel will bring together views from academia, civic society, the private tech sector, and the state sector. They will jointly investigate how Africa can develop a robust cybersecurity posture that fosters innovation, protects user confidence, and strengthens international collaboration. The discussion will bother on: 1. Africa's evolving threat landscape includes ransomware, critical infrastructure attacks, and cyber-enabled misinformation. 2. Capacity building and local talent development in cybersecurity. 3. The role of policy, regulation, and cross-border collaboration in driving continental cyber resilience. 4. Trust-building strategies between governments, technology companies, and citizens. The session will be interactive, including audience engagement, and will conclude with actionable insights and recommendations that can be adapted across countries and sectors.
Session Objectives: 1. To explore the key cybersecurity threats and trends impacting African digital development. 2. To examine multi-stakeholder roles in building cyber resilience and trust. 3. To identify gaps in capacity, policy, and collaboration — and suggest practical solutions. 4. To foster partnerships that will drive Africa’s digital safety forward.
Target Audience: • Policy makers and regulators • Network and cybersecurity professionals • Civil society and digital rights advocates • Telcos, ISPs, and infrastructure providers • Researchers and academia • Youth and emerging tech leaders
Moderator & Panelist Structure: Moderator: Experienced facilitator with cybersecurity governance and multistakeholder dialogue expertise. Panelists: Government Representative – a cybersecurity agency in Nigeria Private Sector Leader – Cybersecurity Firm Civil Society Advocate – digital rights and data protection representative Academic/Special interest Leader – researcher and innovator in cyber resilience
Mode: Hybrid: Online audience : We will utilize zoom for speakers and attendees while slido will be used for questions and polls. Physical audience : Will be able to contribute directly from the venue.
