Africa Internet Governance Forum 2025

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 strengthen 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._x000D_
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 in cybersecurity ecosystems, especially of women and youth?
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

Speakers:
1. Thoko Miya ( South Africa),
2. Saba Tiku (Ethiopia),
3. Olakanmi Oluwole (Nigeria),
4. Dr. Nazarius Kirama (Tanzania)

Moderator: Yusuph Kileo

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.