By: Van Soul Addey
Nearly 50 women cybersecurity professionals
from across Africa have gathered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for the Her
CyberTracks Regional Training Africa 2026, aimed at strengthening cybersecurity
skills and supporting the development of the next generation of women leaders
in the sector.
The regional training is focused on
strengthening professional skills, empowering women in cybersecurity, promoting
knowledge-sharing and building resilience for digital societies across Africa.
The Her CyberTracks initiative is funded by
Germany through the Federal Foreign Office, the European Commission and Italy
through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. It is
co-implemented by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), in partnership
with the Global Programme on Cybercrime of the United Nations Office on Drugs
and Crime (UNODC).
The opening of the regional training brought
together representatives of African and international institutions, with
participants highlighting the importance of secure digital transformation and
resilient critical infrastructure across the continent.
Among those welcomed at the event were Sofie
From-Emmesberger, Ambassador of the European Union Delegation to Ethiopia;
David Gudisch, Deputy Permanent Observer to the African Union at the German
Embassy in Ethiopia; Luca Carpintieri, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the Italian
Embassy to Ethiopia; and Dr. Christine Sund, Senior Advisor at the ITU Regional
Office for Africa.
The opening remarks also highlighted the
essential role women play in sustaining and strengthening secure digital
transformation and resilient critical infrastructure.
The organisers said regional and international
cooperation, knowledge-sharing and collective action remain critical to
strengthening cybersecurity and building resilient digital societies across
Africa.
The Her CyberTracks Regional Training Africa
2026 is therefore providing a platform for women cybersecurity professionals
from across the continent to develop their skills, exchange knowledge and
strengthen their contribution to Africa’s digital resilience.
