Smart Africa adopts constitution and five-year strategy for the African Network of Cybersecurity Authorities (ANCA)

Smart Africa has officially adopted the constitution governing the African Network of Cybersecurity Authorities (ANCA). This collaborative initiative brings together cybersecurity authorities from various African nations to tackle the rising challenges posed by cyber threats and crimes that transcend national borders.

The 5th ANCA meeting also saw the unveiling of ANCA’s comprehensive five-year strategy, designed to enhance cybersecurity resilience across the continent. With cyber risks becoming increasingly sophisticated, ANCA’s establishment represents a crucial step toward a unified, continent-wide approach to cybersecurity, ensuring that African governments, businesses, and citizens operate in a secure digital ecosystem.

ANCA will play a critical role in coordinating cybersecurity policies, legislation, and threat management across Africa. By fostering cooperation among nations, the network aims to counter cybercrime, develop a collective response to emerging threats, and advocate for Africa’s cybersecurity interests on the global stage. The initiative has been strongly championed by Ghana and Morocco, whose contributions have been instrumental in its development.

“The launch of the African Network of Cybersecurity Authorities is a landmark moment for the continent,” said Lacina Koné, CEO of Smart Africa. “Cybersecurity is no longer a national issue; it is a continental and global concern. Through ANCA, we are building a strong, coordinated framework that will allow African nations to tackle cyber threats collaboratively. This is essential not only for the safety of our digital infrastructure but also for the realization of our vision of a Single Digital Market by 2030.”

Dr. Albert Antwi-Boasiako, Chairperson of ANCA, emphasized the network’s vision, stating, “ANCA envisions a secure and trustworthy digital ecosystem for all—citizens, businesses, and governments across Africa. To achieve this, ANCA has adopted its constitution and a five-year roadmap to guide continental-level cybersecurity development. Together, we can transform current challenges into opportunities and ensure that our continent thrives in this digital age.”

Adding to this, General El Mostafa Rabii, Vice-Chair of ANCA, underscored Morocco’s commitment to the initiative. “I strongly believe that ANCA will accelerate the operationalization of key cybersecurity functions among its members, particularly in intelligence sharing, technical assistance, training, and coordination of cyber exercises. Morocco has agreed to contribute to ANCA’s operational activities by establishing a regional Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT), which will be hosted in Morocco and serve ANCA members.”

The creation of ANCA provides a platform for cross-border collaboration, enabling the exchange of cybersecurity intelligence, legislation, and law enforcement resources, ensuring that Africa’s collective cybersecurity voice is heard on the global stage.

Smart Africa’s commitment to bolstering cybersecurity is not new. In 2023, the organization spearheaded the development of the Continental Cybersecurity Blueprint, under the leadership of Côte d’Ivoire. The adoption of ANCA’s constitution and five-year strategy marks another milestone in Africa’s ongoing efforts to create a robust and secure digital landscape, ultimately contributing to the continent’s digital transformation and economic growth.

By:  Nana Appiah Acquaye