Placing cyberstrategy at the heart of African states' priorities

In an increasingly interconnected world, where technology is a lever of power and competitiveness, Africa stands at a decisive turning point in its digital development. While countries such as the United States, China and the European Union shape global technological standards, the African continent must meet specific challenges related to cybersecurity and digital sovereignty. The 2024 Global Cybersecurity Index, published by the International Telecommunication Union, highlights the disparities among African nations in terms of readiness and maturity in the face of digital threats. Countries such as Morocco, Ghana and Rwanda stand out with solid initiatives, while others, like Nigeria and Senegal, still need to strengthen their capacities.

This observation underlines the urgency of a coherent and integrated cyberstrategy that is not limited to isolated actions, but that encourages the commitment of African leaders and fosters regional and international cooperation. It is essential to develop local infrastructure, adopt appropriate regulations, and invest in education to prepare future generations for digital challenges. By adopting a bold and proactive vision, Africa can not only overcome its technological dependence, but also emerge as a competitive player on the world stage. This study aims to explore the strategic paths that will allow the continent to strengthen its digital sovereignty and assert itself in the global technological dynamic.

The 2024 Global Cybersecurity Index, published by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), assessed the cybersecurity commitments of 194 countries, offering significant insights into the situation in Africa. This report reveals a wide range of cybersecurity maturity among African countries. Leaders such as Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Rwanda and Tanzania stand out with solid frameworks and advanced initiatives.

South Africa, Benin, Togo and Zambia are also progressing, but further efforts are needed to strengthen their technical capacities. By contrast, many countries, such as Nigeria, Senegal, Ethiopia and Cameroon, face significant gaps in implementing their cybersecurity strategies. The main areas for improvement include capacity-building, the establishment of incident-response teams, and increased regional and international cooperation to strengthen collective resilience.

According to this index, Morocco was placed in the highest category, Tier 1, comprising countries considered a model to follow in cybersecurity.

By way of comparison, the other countries in the same category as Morocco are Germany, France, Italy, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Japan, the United States and Spain, which confirms Morocco's commitment to meeting the highest cybersecurity standards.

The index ranks countries according to five key indicators: legal, technical, organisational, capacity-building and cooperation.

Let us imagine a future where Africa becomes a global technology leader by developing innovative local solutions and strengthening its digital sovereignty.

The question of whether Africa is ready for the "great battle" of digital sovereignty is complex and multidimensional; nevertheless, with a determined and coordinated approach, we have the potential to transform our technological landscape. To reverse the trend of technological dependence on the major powers, we must adopt a bold and proactive vision.

I. Digital sovereignty: ten years of debate, and then?

The ambition that clearly emerges from both the African Union's strategy and the "Smart Africa" initiative…