Africa takes a bold step toward digital resilience as the inaugural ICCA convenes in Addis Ababa
By Eyob Salemot | International Correspondent
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — June 24, 2026
Ethiopia is making a bold statement in the global digital arena as it hosts the inaugural International Conference on Cybersecurity in the Era of Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence (ICCA) this week. The two-day event, which opened on June 24 at the United Nations Conference Centre in Addis Ababa, brings together policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, and development partners from across Africa and beyond.
Organized jointly by the Ethiopian Cybersecurity Association (ECySA) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the conference is being held under the theme “Risks, Resilience and Africa’s Strategic Imperatives.” It marks a significant step in building a continental platform for evidence-based dialogue on the intersection of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.
A Continent at a Digital Crossroads
In her opening remarks, UNECA Deputy Executive Secretary Mama Keita framed the stakes with stark clarity:
“Every technological revolution creates opportunity but seldom distributes it equally. Those who invest, innovate, and govern with foresight reap the greatest benefits, while those who hesitate risk relegation to the role of consumers rather than creators of the future.”
The conference comes at a critical juncture as African nations accelerate their digital transformation agendas. Governments across the continent are digitizing public services, businesses are embracing cloud technologies, and financial institutions are rapidly expanding digital payment systems. Meanwhile, artificial intelligence is reshaping how people work, learn, innovate, and deliver services—making cybersecurity an indispensable foundation for trust in the digital future.
Ethiopia’s Cybersecurity Journey
The conference was officially declared open by Mrs. Tigist Hamid, Director General of Ethiopia’s Information Network Security Administration (INSA), who traced the country’s cybersecurity evolution over the past eight years.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed, Ethiopia has enacted a landmark legislative framework, including:
· The Critical Infrastructure Protection Proclamation
· The Data Protection Proclamation
· The Electronic Transaction and Signature Proclamations
· The Cybercrime Proclamation
These achievements position the country as a benchmark for digital governance on the continent.
Mrs. Hamid reaffirmed Ethiopia’s commitment to cybersecurity education, technical training, research, innovation, and regional and global cooperation on digital resilience.
Key Themes and Discussions
The conference program is structured to move beyond theoretical discussions, focusing instead on operational realities and practical implementation. Day one featured high-level presentations on real-world cybersecurity implementations across Africa, including case studies on Security Operations Center (SOC) modernization, cloud security, and large-scale deployments.
Notable sessions included:
· Securing Ethiopia’s National Payment Infrastructure, presented by EthSwitch CEO Mr. Yilebes Addis
· Zero Trust Architecture – From Theory to Battlefield Reality, delivered by UNECA’s Chief of Digital and IT Management, Mr. Lukasz Cyra
· A high-level roundtable policy dialogue featuring representatives from INSA, GIZ, UNECA, and the Ethiopian Communications Authority
The afternoon sessions were divided into three parallel panels exploring AI governance, leadership and risk oversight, and secure digital transformation.
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The AI Imperative
Speaking at a pre-conference press briefing, ECySA President Dr. Berhanu Beyene emphasized that the forum would focus on strengthening Africa’s cyber resilience, reinforcing data sovereignty, and promoting the secure and responsible adoption of artificial intelligence.
UNECA representative Amos Homodza noted that while AI offers enormous opportunities for innovation and service delivery, it also introduces new cybersecurity risks—including sophisticated cyberattacks, deepfakes, automated fraud, and information manipulation.
“Africa must actively participate in shaping the future of artificial intelligence rather than merely consuming technologies developed elsewhere,” he stressed.
Looking Ahead
Day two of the conference will feature:
· Hackathon winner presentations
· Panel discussions on cybersecurity and AI policy challenges
· Technical parallel sessions covering AI-driven threat detection, national cloud security governance frameworks, and digital transformation governance
The conference is also hosting a Capture The Flag (CTF) competition, with winners to be announced during the closing session. The event will conclude with the adoption of a conference communique and closing remarks from ECySA and UNECA leadership.
A Recurring Pan-African Platform
Dr. Berhanu Beyene welcomed the gathering as the start of a sustained continental conversation—one built on operational realities rather than theoretical frameworks. The conference is designed as the inaugural edition of a recurring pan-African forum, with UNECA headquarters serving as its institutional home.
“Cybersecurity is no longer an IT issue—it is a business, governance, research, and national sovereignty priority,” Dr. Beyene stated. “This conference brings together the policymakers, innovators, researchers, and practitioners who are shaping Africa’s digital future.“
Key Supporting Institutions: Ethio Telecom, INSA, Ethiopian Communications Authority, Ministry of Innovation and Technology, and several other national institutions.
Reporting by Eyob Salemot, International Correspondent
