A Republic of Togo and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to collaborate in the creation of the “African Center for Coordination and Research in Cybersecurity".
As a central regional cybersecurity and intelligence information hub based in Lomé (Togo), the center will act independently and objectively in expertise and activities related to promoting cybersecurity and investigating cybercrime.
Your missions will cover, but not be limited to:
Building capacity and supporting established cybersecurity agencies in African countries;
Collaborating with African governments, policymakers, law enforcement and security experts to create effective frameworks to assess and mitigate cyber threats and promote cybersecurity in the region;
Providing highly specialized technical and research resources for advancing cybersecurity in the region;
On March 23 and 24, 2022, the 1st Cybersecurity Summit was held, co-organized by the Republic of Togo and the ECA, where heads of State and Government, private sector leaders and civil society leaders gathered for a dialogue to face the Africa's urgent cybersecurity challenges.
During the summit, Member States adopted the “Lomé Declaration on cybersecurity and the fight against cybercrime” (Declaration of Lomé).
"We are pleased to partner with ECA to further our commitment to making cybersecurity a priority for our nations. Our aim is to become a major digital hub in Africa. Our model of partnering with the private sector is an innovative approach that we want to showcase to inspire other countries towards a safer cyberspace on the continent“, said Cina Lawson, Togolese Minister of the Digital Economy.
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The Lomé Declaration is a commitment by Member States to sign and ratify the African Union's “Malabo Convention” – one of the world's most elaborate conventions on cybersecurity, and to strengthen African cooperation in cybersecurity and the fight against cybercrime.
As a result, the MOU between the Republic of Togo and ECA will allow for the creation of the African Cybersecurity Center to support African countries in implementing the Lomé Declaration.
To date, Togo is one of the few countries to have ratified the Malabo Convention. The country implemented a legal and regulatory framework adapted to cybersecurity and established regulatory entities such as the National Cybersecurity Agency (ANCy) and the Personal Data Protection Authority (IPDCP).
In addition, in partnership with Asseco Data Systems, a Polish cybersecurity company, the Togolese Republic created a cybersecurity services company – Cyber Defense Africa (CDA), mainly composed of Togolese, for the protection of its cyberspace, ensuring a transfer of skills.
