African Internet Resilience #3: Cyber-security in Africa: Rising to the New Challenges

Since January 2020, the Africa Internet ecosystem has witnessed spikes in connectivity traffic. African businesses and governments are increasingly taking their services online, while telecom companies are increasing internet speed and capacity to improve consumer experience. While these new developments can potentially trigger economic transformations, there are risks and vulnerabilities that Africans need to know and learn how to overcome them.

That is why this third webinar was focused on cybersecurity in Africa. The African Union Commission Cybersecurity Expert Group (AUCSEG), a high-level specialist group that advises the AUC on cyber security, cybercrime, cyber-legislations, online privacy and data protection, and regional digital policies and the Internet Society (ISOC) organized the event. Discussions examined the African cyberspace and shared breaking insights on the challenges brought by the growing technological transformations and increase in the demand for Internet traffic.

Participants

The event brought together experts on Internet governance, online security, policy makers and supporters of the African Internet environment.

Speakers

• Dr Abdul-Hakeem Ajijola – Member, AUCSEG
• Moctar Yedaly – Head of Information Society, African Union Commission
• Olaf Kolkman – Principal – Internet Technology, Policy, and Advocacy, Internet Society
• Dr. Sherif Hashem – Vice President for Cybersecurity, National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA), Egypt
• John-Robert Hountomey – Founder and Director, AfricaCERT
• Dr Nnenna Ifeanyi-Ajufo – Member, AUCSEG
• Dr John Ubena – Advocate, High Court of Tanzania

Agenda

• Formal Opening: Welcome Remarks by AUC – Moctar Yedaly – 5 mins
• Keynote: A Cybersecurity Perspective – Olaf Kolkman – 20 mins
• African Cybersecurity Strategy for an evolving Africa – Dr Sherif Hashem – 10 mins
• Response of the technical community to Covid-19 and new challenges – Jean-Robert Hountomey – 10 mins
• Cyber Security in the African Educational Sector – Dr Nnenna Ifeanyi-Ajufo – 10 mins
• Digital Rights in Africa in the era of Covid-19 and beyond – Dr John Ubena – 10 mins
• Questions and Answers – Participants/ audience – 25 mins

Watch the recorded livestream: