Cyber Security

Aim

By 2020, nearly a third of the global GDP is expected to be generated by the digital economy. Africa is now within the perimeter of cybercrime, making the continent’s information systems and digital infrastructures more vulnerable than ever before. Issues relating to cybersecurity and cybercrime are emerging and there is a need to ensure that citizens, governments and businesses are protected.

Progress to-date

• Four Member States out of the required 15 have ratified the AU Convention on Cybersecurity and Personal Data Protection;

• Data protection guidelines were developed and launched in 2018 and an African cybersecurity expert group was established;

• Many African countries are at AN early stage of developing their cyber strategies and are drafting and adopting cyber laws. Only 18 have national CERTs.

Challenge

• Lack of budgetary resources for this project has caused delays in the implementation of the project.

Next Steps

• Undertake resource mobilisation for the functioning of the project to enable the capacity building of the continent on cybersecurity.