Rising internet penetration and advancements in digital technology are changing the nature of conflict, cooperation, and competition across the African continent. As it has globally, the spread of information, communications, and related technologies is amplifying and altering a variety of national security challenges and threats. These threats are exploited by a broad array of actors, who vary significantly in their capabilities and intentions, from lone wolf hackers to complex cybercriminal enterprises to nation states. The Africa Center aims to expand understanding of the key challenges digital technology poses to national security, how cyber threats are likely to evolve in the coming decade, and how local, national, regional, and international security sector actors can effectively respond to these growing threats.
- Espionage. Cyberspace has fundamentally changed the methods and means through which states gather information on one another and their citizens. Though the most significant cyber espionage concerns in Africa have centered around China, espionage and surveillance capabilities are rapidly diffusing across the continent.
- Critical Infrastructure Sabotage. Africa’s government networks, military systems, banking and telecommunications industries are vulnerable to cyberattacks that seek to disable or destroy them. Though state actors or criminal networks are a concern, the risks of cyber sabotage resulting from an accident or negligence is also high.
- Organized Crime. The spread of cyberspace is providing tech-savvy groups with novel business opportunities and new means to steal, transfer, or extort resources. Growing internet penetration rates in Africa has both led to new kinds of cyber-dependent criminal activities, such as business email compromise or romance scams, as well transformed the financing and market dynamics of more traditional organized crime networks.
- Military Strategies and Tactics. Though the most immediate effect of the spread of cyberspace has been to transform non-violent means of covert action and coercive statecraft, enhanced surveillance capabilities and emerging technologies such as drones are making their presence felt on the African battlefield.
In addition to expanding understanding of these threats, the Africa Center aims to foster dialogue, collaboration, and trust between security sector actors, civilian authorities, the private sector, and other stakeholders seeking to exchange good practices, strategies and recommendations in responding to the cyber threats faced by their countries and regions.
Advancing Regional Cybersecurity and Stability in Africa
Expert Roundtable, May 2024
Artificial Intelligence and Africa’s Security Landscape
Webinar, September 2023
The Fourth Industrial Revolution and the African Security Landscape
Webinar, August 2022
Cyberspace and Security Sector Governance in Africa
Hybrid Roundtable, May 2022
The African Security Sector’s Response To Cyber-Enabled Organized Crime
Webinar, February 2022
State Responses to the Use of Information Technology by Africa’s Violent Extremist Groups
Webinar, December 2021
Cyberspace Security Priorities for Africa’s National Security Actors
Virtual Academic Program, August 2021
Cyber Dimensions of Transnational Organized Crime in Africa
Webinar, July 2021
Cyber Dimensions of Violent Extremism in Africa
Webinar, May 2021
Cyber Dimensions of Statecraft in Africa
Webinar, March 2021
Emerging Cyber Dimensions of Africa’s Security Landscape
Webinar, December 2020
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