Cyber Week Africa 2026 Ends with Renewed Push for AI-Driven Cybersecurity Policies, Technology and Skills

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 Cyber Week Africa 2026 has concluded with a renewed call for stronger cybersecurity policies, advanced technologies and skills development to help African countries address emerging cyber threats in the age of artificial intelligence (AI).

The event brought together more than 1,200 participants from 20 countries, including government officials, private sector representatives, academics, non-profit organisations and technology start-ups, to discuss how AI is reshaping cybersecurity and the protection of critical information, networks and online trust.

The annual conference was led by the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy in collaboration with the Kenya School of Government, the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, the National Cybersecurity Agency and the University of Nairobi, alongside other partners.

The opening ceremony was attended by Principal Secretary for Broadcasting and Telecommunications Stephen Isaboke, National Cybersecurity Agency Chairman Dr Martin Koyabe, Kenya School of Government Director General Prof Nura Mohamed and European Union Ambassador Andreas Peschke, among other dignitaries.

During the event, the EU Ambassador congratulated 19 newly certified Kenyan SIM3 cyber auditors, while Tahar Benattia of Expertise France presented awards to winners of a cybersecurity hackathon supported by Expertise France and the European Union.

The conference also featured cybersecurity awareness sessions conducted in 21 institutions of higher education across Kenya ahead of the main event, highlighting the importance of equipping young people with the knowledge needed to navigate an increasingly digital world.

Huawei Kenya Country Cybersecurity and Privacy Officer Kaine Zhang, whose company was among the event's major sponsors, emphasised the importance of strengthening users' cybersecurity capabilities while providing secure products and solutions.

Zhang highlighted Huawei's commitment to supporting both areas, while 21 government ICT officers were recognised during the closing ceremony after completing a network training programme supported by the technology company.

Huawei Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Cybersecurity Expert Lu Hao also addressed participants on building a next-generation autonomous intelligent security operations system. He underscored the need for interconnected security solutions that provide comprehensive visibility across digital systems, enabling organisations to prevent, detect and respond rapidly to cyber threats.

The conference concluded with a declaration outlining actions participating organisations would undertake to strengthen information sharing and cooperation in tackling cybersecurity challenges.

Dr Koyabe, whose attendance throughout the event underscored the agency's commitment to stakeholder engagement, called for stronger trust among institutions and industry players to facilitate effective information sharing.

He also stressed that digital sovereignty should not be mistaken for digital isolation, urging regulators and private sector organisations to work together in strengthening Africa's digital security. He particularly highlighted the importance of collaboration with sector-specific regulators, including those in the financial industry.

Closing the event on behalf of the Principal Secretary for Internal Security and National Administration, Jacob Narengo warned that artificial intelligence could strengthen cybersecurity defences while simultaneously giving cybercriminals more sophisticated tools to carry out attacks.

“AI is a force multiplier—both shield and spear. Threat intelligence is how defenders stay ahead knowing about the attack before it strikes, so AI can help defenders detect threats in seconds or it can help attackers fake voices, craft convincing scams and target mobile money users,” Narengo said.

He added that adequate preparation could strengthen resilience, while neglecting cybersecurity could expose countries and institutions to greater risks.

“For Africa, expanding our digital ecosystem without hardening its defences means building our future on sand,” he said.

Narengo also highlighted the importance of implementing Kenya's National Cybersecurity Strategy and AI Strategy, alongside policies currently under development, including the Digital Policy, Cybersecurity Policy, Data Governance Policy, and AI and Emerging Technologies Policy.

The discussions at Cyber Week Africa 2026 underscored the growing need for African governments and businesses to invest in cybersecurity expertise, adopt secure technologies and establish effective policy frameworks as AI continues to transform the digital economy.

Participants left with a shared call for stronger collaboration, improved threat intelligence sharing and sustained investment in skills and technology to protect critical infrastructure and build trust in Africa's digital future.

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