Kigali Declaration for Action on Strengthening Secure Sovereignty of Digital Africa
Adopted at the Africa Cyber Defence Forum (ACDF 2025), Kigali, Rwanda – 2 October 2025
We, the participants of the Africa Cyber Defence Forum (ACDF) 2025 — representing many African governments, regional bodies, development partners, private sector, academia, and civil society — gathered in Kigali, Rwanda, from 29 September to 3 October 2025, to deliberate on the future towards a Secure and Sovereign Digital Africa.
Recognizing that Africa’s digital transformation is both an opportunity for inclusive growth and a frontline for new vulnerabilities, we affirm that cybersecurity is a pillar of sovereignty, stability, and sustainable development.
We further acknowledge that:
Africa’s rapid digital growth is transforming the continent into one of the fastest-rising digital economies in the world. With the expansion of mobile connectivity, fintech innovation, e-commerce, and digital services, millions of people are gaining access to opportunities that were previously out of reach—boosting financial inclusion, job creation, and cross-border trade.
However, Cyber threats continue to drain the continent of billions of dollars each year, eroding trust, slowing innovation, and undermining socio-economic prosperity.
African countries still continue to either lack or are yet to implement comprehensive cybersecurity laws, strong institutions, and effective enforcement mechanisms.
To safeguard the continent’s digital future, Africa must prioritize the development of resilient ecosystems built on homegrown solutions, rooted in African values, and strengthened through collective, pan-African collaboration.
Strengthen Digital Sovereignty
Prioritize Africa’s ownership of its digital future by developing indigenous cybersecurity capabilities, technologies, and standards.
Safeguard Africa’s data, critical infrastructure, and cyberspace from undue external influence or exploitation.
Harmonize Legal and Policy Frameworks
Accelerate the domestication and implementation of the Malabo Convention on Cybersecurity and Data Protection, Africa AI Continental Strategy and other relevant frameworks.
Promote harmonized cybersecurity, data governance, and digital trade laws across the African Union and Regional Economic Communities (RECs).
Foster Pan-African Cyber Collaboration
Establish and strengthen national and regional CERTs/CSIRTs and threat intelligence sharing mechanisms.
Establish within ACDF relevant policy and technical committees, on relevant thematic areas, to tackle challenging cyber related issues.
Build or develop coordination frameworks against global cyber threats.
Invest in Capacity Building & Skills Development
Expand specialized training programs for cybersecurity professionals, policymakers, law enforcement, judiciary, and especially youth (Gen Z).
Encourage exchange of expertise and resources between African nations and the rest of the world.
Establish a dedicated trust fund to support cyber capacity building with Africa.
Promote Innovation and Local Solutions
Invest in African start-ups and research institutions developing AI-driven cybersecurity, digital identity, and data protection solutions.
Promote establishment of continental innovation hubs to foster trusted digital technologies for Africa by Africans.
Enhance Public–Private Partnerships
Deepen collaboration between governments, telecom operators, financial institutions, and technology companies in securing Africa’s cyberspace.
Strengthen collective defense strategies through industry–government cooperation.
Uphold Human Rights and Digital Trust
Ensure cybersecurity initiatives protect fundamental rights, including privacy, freedom of expression, and access to information.
Build trust between governments and citizens to advance Africa’s digital transformation agenda.
We call upon:
- National Governments to allocate dedicated budgets, political will, and leadership to strengthen cybersecurity institutions.
- Private Sector & Academia to champion research, innovation, and investment in securing Digital Africa sovereignty.
- International & Development Partners to support Africa’s cybersecurity agenda in alignment with African priorities, values, and strategies.
- National and Regional organisations to champion for inclusion, especially of the youth (Gen Z), women and marginalised communities towards a secure Digital Africa sovereignty.
The ACDF Kigali Declaration for Action is a commitment to defend and advance a secure Digital Africa sovereignty— ensuring that our continent’s digital future is secure, resilient, inclusive, and African-led.
Together, we resolve to transform Africa from a data-rich continent into a data-wealthy, cyber-secure, and digitally sovereign powerhouse.
Location: Marriott Hotel, Kigali, Rwanda
Date: 2 October 2025