Cyber Resilience in Africa: Local Solutions to Global Threats

Session Title: Cyber Resilience in Africa: Local Solutions to Global Threats
Thematic Track: Cybersecurity, Resilience, and Trust
Session Format: Workshop
Duration:60 minutes
Organizers:
• ICT Commission Ministry of ICT (Tanzania)
• Internet Society Tanzania
• Organization for Digital Africa
Session Description:
As African societies become increasingly digitized, the region faces growing exposure to global cyber threats—from ransomware attacks and critical infrastructure breaches to the misuse of personal data and state-sponsored disinformation. Yet, Africa’s cybersecurity responses have often been shaped by external frameworks and donor-driven strategies that don’t always align with local realities.
This workshop highlights how homegrown solutions, regional collaboration, and community-driven cybersecurity models are strengthening Africa’s cyber resilience. The session will showcase practical responses to cyber threats being developed in Africa’s public sector, private companies, and civil society—from localized CERTs and digital hygiene campaigns to capacity-building for small businesses and community-based incident reporting systems.
Participants will explore what it means to build cybersecurity systems that are inclusive, rights-based, and sustainable in African contexts. Critical questions around capacity gaps, legislative harmonization, digital trust, gender inclusion, and infrastructure protection will be addressed, along with the role of governments in enabling multistakeholder participation and resilience planning.
Rather than importing “one-size-fits-all” solutions, this session will focus on context-aware approaches that respond to Africa’s unique digital landscape—leveraging local knowledge, indigenous languages, and regional best practices to protect communities and secure national development agendas.
Issues to be Addressed:
• Rising cybersecurity threats across African countries and sectors
• Limited capacity of local institutions to respond to attacks
• Inadequate cybersecurity laws, coordination, and enforcement
• Inclusion of underserved communities in cyber awareness and response
• Trust-building as a foundation for digital resilience
Policy Questions:
1. What does cyber resilience look like in the African context—beyond infrastructure?
2. How can African countries scale up local capacity and cooperation for cyber incident response?
3. What role should civil society and local businesses play in national cybersecurity strategies?
4. How can policies promote inclusion, especially of women and youth, in cybersecurity ecosystems?
Expected Outcomes:
• Actionable policy ideas for localized and inclusive cybersecurity frameworks
• Documentation of grassroots and regional approaches to cyber resilience
• Recommendations for integrating community actors into national cybersecurity plans
• Strengthened connections between national stakeholders and regional cyber initiatives
Tentative Speakers:
1. National CERT Representative – From an East or West African country
2. Cybersecurity Entrepreneur – Offering local solutions for SMEs
3. Government Policy Official – Ministry of ICT or Digital Security Agency
4. Civil Society Leader – Focused on digital rights and cyber hygiene education
5. Youth or Gender Advocate – Promoting inclusion in cybersecurity awareness