Smart Africa and e-Crime Bureau have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cybersecurity capacity, promote innovation and support the development of a safer digital ecosystem across Africa.
The agreement was signed on Monday, November 2, 2026, in Accra, Ghana, on the sidelines of the 15th Africa Internet Governance Forum (AfIGF) 2026. It brings together the Smart Africa Secretariat, a continental digital alliance, and e-Crime Bureau, an ISO/IEC 27001-certified cybersecurity consulting firm, to advance cybersecurity development through collaboration and shared expertise.
The partnership comes as African countries accelerate their digital transformation, increasing the need for stronger cybersecurity systems, skilled professionals and coordinated responses to emerging digital threats.
Under the agreement, the two organisations will focus on three key areas: people, processes and technology. The collaboration will seek to develop Africa’s cybersecurity workforce, strengthen governance and risk management frameworks, and promote the development and deployment of technologies that protect the continent’s digital infrastructure. On workforce development, the partners will support cybersecurity skills development and encourage closer cooperation between governments, the private sector and the international community. This approach aims to help address the growing demand for cybersecurity professionals while building the expertise needed to protect Africa’s expanding digital economy.
The partnership will also focus on strengthening cybersecurity governance, improving risk management, protecting critical information infrastructure and supporting the harmonisation of legal and policy frameworks across African countries. In the area of technology, the two organisations intend to collaborate on solutions that can improve the security and resilience of Africa’s digital ecosystem.
Building on Africa’s cybersecurity agenda
The agreement aligns with Smart Africa’s broader efforts to promote a coordinated approach to cybersecurity across the continent. These efforts include the development of the Continental Cybersecurity Blueprint in 2023 and the establishment of the African Network of Cybersecurity Authorities (ANCA), a consultative body focused on advancing cybersecurity development. By working with e-Crime Bureau, Smart Africa aims to build on these initiatives and strengthen cooperation among the institutions and stakeholders responsible for securing Africa’s digital future.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Lacina Koné, Director General and CEO of Smart Africa, emphasised that cybersecurity must remain central to the continent’s digital transformation. “Africa’s digital transformation can only be as strong as the systems that protect it,” Koné said, highlighting the need for stronger cooperation, coordinated action and sustained investment in people and institutions.
He added that the partnership would help strengthen cybersecurity expertise, improve institutional coordination and advance the protection of critical digital infrastructure across Africa. Koné reaffirmed Smart Africa’s commitment to working closely with e-Crime Bureau to implement the agreement and achieve its objectives.
e-Crime Bureau expands its international reach
The partnership also reflects a new phase in e-Crime Bureau’s development following its restructuring into a global cybersecurity consulting firm serving international markets, particularly in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
The restructuring follows the Board of Directors’ approval of the company’s Transition and Growth Strategy in 2026. Building on 15 years of experience, the strategy is designed to expand the firm’s international operations and strengthen its ability to serve clients across different markets. Under the new structure, the company operates through three regional hubs, each with a distinct role.
The Europe hub, based in Como, Italy, focuses on standards, certifications, regulatory best practices, research, innovation and technology partnerships. It also coordinates engagements with development partners. The Middle East hub leads business development and service delivery, while the Africa hub, based in Accra, Ghana, concentrates on talent and skills development to support the company’s global operations.
The structure is intended to connect expertise, talent and technology across regions, allowing the firm to draw on its international capabilities while responding to the needs of individual markets. Commenting on the development, Dr. Albert Antwi-Boasiako, Executive Chairman of e-Crime Bureau, described the expansion and the partnership with Smart Africa as an important milestone for the firm. “Our expansion, and our partnership with Smart Africa, marks a new era for the Bureau,” Antwi-Boasiako said.
He explained that the company’s three global hubs would help connect expertise, talent, experience, insights and technology, enabling it to serve clients with the combined capabilities of the firm regardless of their location. He also expressed the Bureau’s commitment to working with Smart Africa and its partners to advance cybersecurity development across the continent, with a focus on building the skills, infrastructure and resilience required for a thriving digital economy.
A shared commitment to a more secure digital Africa
The agreement reflects a shared recognition that cybersecurity is essential to Africa’s digital development. As digital services, online transactions and technology-driven public and private sector operations continue to expand, protecting systems and information has become increasingly important for businesses, governments and citizens.
Through the MoU, Smart Africa and e-Crime Bureau intend to combine continental coordination with specialised cybersecurity expertise to support capacity development, encourage innovation and strengthen the systems that underpin Africa’s digital economy. The success of the partnership will depend on how effectively the two organisations translate their commitments into practical initiatives, stronger institutional cooperation and improved cybersecurity capabilities across the continent.
