ADDIS ABABA, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Experts from the United Nations (UN) and Ethiopia on Wednesday called for deeper collaboration among artificial intelligence (AI) stakeholders across Africa to tackle the ever-evolving cyber threats facing the continent.
Speaking at the International Conference on Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, Mama Keita, deputy executive secretary at the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), underscored the need for introducing robust and innovative AI solutions in Africa to detect cyber threats and analyze vast databases.
"As we accelerate investments in digital infrastructure, smart services and AI-driven innovation, cybersecurity must be understood not merely as a defensive mechanism, but as a strategic enabler," Keita said.
Noting that cybercriminals are already exploiting AI to automate attacks and generate disinformation, she called for joint action among African governments, policymakers, innovators, researchers, industry leaders, cybersecurity practitioners and development partners to ensure a secure digital Africa.
Tigist Hamid, director general of Ethiopia's Information Network Security Administration, said the opportunities presented by digital transformation and AI are extraordinary, yet the challenges are equally complex and borderless.
"Together, we have both the responsibility and the opportunity to build a digital future that is secure, inclusive, innovative and beneficial for all," she said, adding that no institution or individual is immune to cyber threats in the increasingly interconnected digital world.
According to Hamid, Ethiopia has made significant strides in building the foundations for a secure and resilient digital ecosystem over the past two decades, establishing structured cyber defense mechanisms, including security operation centers, cyber incident response systems and continuous monitoring frameworks.
The two-day conference, organized by the Ethiopian Cybersecurity Association and the ECA, serves as a platform to strengthen cybersecurity, advance digital trust, and harness the transformative power of technology for sustainable development and prosperity in Africa and beyond.
