Why cybersafety matters in the African Union–European Union partnership

December 10, 2025

The African Union-European Union Summit in Luanda, Angola addressed the escalating cybersecurity crisis facing Africa, where digital threats are growing faster than protective measures. Kenya alone documented over 4. 5 billion cyber-attacks in just three months, while journalists face increased digital surveillance and the continent has fewer than 25,000 cybersecurity professionals serving over 1 billion people.

Who is affected

Investigative journalists in Africa facing spyware, surveillance, and online attacks
Women and girls across Africa experiencing the digital gender gap, lower internet access, limited digital literacy, misinformation, identity misuse, and online violence
Women in leadership roles facing intensified online hostility
Over 1 billion people across the African continent served by fewer than 25,000 certified cybersecurity professionals
Individuals, institutions, and democratic processes in Kenya targeted by cyber-attacks
Critical sectors including health systems, telecommunications networks, and public administration
Community organizations and established institutions affected by malware, data breaches, and system-wide attacks
Rural communities with limited digital infrastructure access

What action is being taken

The European Union is working under the Global Gateway agenda to improve digital infrastructure and support inclusive development at continental, regional, and national levels
The EU is working with government ministries in Kenya to ensure support reflects the scale of current threats
Kenya's national cyber-incident response team is detecting and monitoring cyber-attacks
The African Union has established networks to support women facing online harm
Leaders from both regions are discussing peace, security, data protection, connectivity, innovation hubs, and training for young people

Why it matters

This matters because digital insecurity now threatens essential democratic processes, free speech, economic opportunity, and social inclusion across Africa. The enormous disparity between the scale of threats (4.5 billion attacks in Kenya alone in three months) and available protection (fewer than 25,000 cybersecurity professionals for over 1 billion people) creates conditions where digital opportunity and digital risk advance simultaneously. The targeting of journalists undermines investigative reporting and press freedom, while online violence against women—particularly those in leadership—restricts participation and reinforces inequality. Without addressing these vulnerabilities, Africa's rapid digital transformation risks widening existing gaps rather than creating inclusive progress, affecting the ability of citizens to speak, organize, work, and participate in public affairs safely.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: Global Voices