High Level Ministerial Closed Session on Cybersecurity Capacity Building in Africa and the Global South
In the digital age, cybersecurity has become a cornerstone for national security, economic resilience, and societal wellbeing. Africa, with its burgeoning digital economy and increasing internet penetration, faces unique challenges in building cybersecurity capacity. Many African Union (AU) institutions and member states have highlighted the pressing need for enhanced cybersecurity frameworks, infrastructures, and trained personnel to safeguard national assets, critical information, and citizens. Despite ongoing efforts, vulnerabilities to cybersecurity threats remain due to resource constraints, technological limitations, and gaps in policy implementation. These challenges are reflective of broader systemic issues across the Global South.
The upcoming GC3B presents a timely opportunity for Global South – and particularly African – leaders and stakeholders to convene, assess current cybersecurity initiatives, and call for increased resource allocation towards capacity building. The High Level Session for Africa, in a Global South context, will gather senior executives from all AU institutions and from the Global South, as well as industry leaders and senior representatives of donor organizations. The session will give space to discuss, deliberate, and endorse an “Africa Declaration on Cybersecurity Capacity Building”. This declaration will be presented to the African Union Heads of State and to donor agencies, seeking their commitment and investment in cybersecurity across the continent.
Objectives
The High-Level Session aims to achieve the following objectives:
- Facilitate high-level discussions on Africa’s cybersecurity landscape, current challenges and opportunities, and the vital needs for capacity building.
- Engage Donor Agencies and Development Partners to align their strategies with Africa’s cybersecurity priorities and mobilize funding to support targeted projects.
- Adopt a Declaration that calls for increased resources, commitment, and collaboration among AU institutions and donor agencies to strengthen Africa’s cybersecurity capabilities.