Cybercrime poses a big threat to Africa’s digital transformation Strategy – AIGF

Cybercrime is now posing a big threat to Africa’s digital transformation strategy and there is an urgent need for governments across the continent to increase their investment in cyber security, the Africa Internet Governance Forum (AIGF) has said.

This is one of the recommendations at the twelfth African Internet Governance Forum, with the theme ‘Transforming Africa’s Digital Landscape: Empowering Inclusion, Security and Innovation’, which ended in Abuja, on Thursday. 

“Cybercrime remains a potential threat to the implementation of AU 2063 agenda and AU’s digital transformation strategy. African Union and African government to ensure adequate investment to fight cybercrime activities, ensure international cooperation, and capacity building for lawmakers and enforcement actors, the judiciary and other necessary actors,” the AIGF recommendation signed by all members said. 

The participants said Africa’s digital workforce strategy is reactive, adding that urgent investment is required to bridge the digital divide and to develop the digital workforce that is needed for innovation.

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They said it was vital that penetration into Artificial Intelligence (AI) digital solutions be grown from African datasets, and tailor AI models to the region’s unique challenges and opportunities.

They said the dearth of research in AI on the continent focused on the uniqueness of Africans leaves a huge gap and stifles the ability to develop solutions that identify its culture and people.