By Ayomide Otitoju
Africa Tech Festival (ATF), the continent’s premier platform for digital innovation, will return next month in Cape Town with a sharp focus on cybersecurity and cloud resilience — two critical areas shaping the future of Africa’s expanding digital economy.
This year’s edition will also explore themes of responsible innovation, inclusive investment, connectivity for development, and policy harmonisation, underscoring ATF’s role in driving dialogue among technology leaders, analysts, and policymakers committed to advancing Africa’s digital transformation.
Africa’s growing reliance on digital technology has made it increasingly vulnerable to cyber threats. According to recent reports, 90% of African countries need to strengthen their law enforcement and response capabilities, while only 30% have incident reporting systems and 19% operate cyberthreat intelligence databases.
Common threats across the continent include phishing, business email compromise (BEC), online scams, and ransomware — compounded by limited infrastructure, an underdeveloped cybersecurity ecosystem, and a widening skills gap.
“Cybersecurity is no longer an individual concern for organisations; it’s a shared responsibility across all sectors,” said Kadi Diallo, Portfolio Manager for Africa Tech Festival. “ATF is where Africa’s digital leaders come together to tackle these challenges head-on and shape a secure, inclusive future.”
Among the key sessions, a fireside chat titled “State of Cybersecurity in Africa: Threats, Gaps & Opportunities” (Tuesday, 11 November) will examine the continent’s most pressing cyber threats, assess regional readiness, and propose strategies for governments and enterprises to collaborate on stronger response systems.
Another highlight, “The Quantum Threat Is Now: Rethinking Encryption Before It’s Too Late,” will address the emerging risks quantum computing poses to traditional encryption and outline how organisations can adapt to post-quantum security challenges.
On Wednesday, 12 November, the session “Empowering Women in Cybersecurity: Breaking Barriers and Building Leadership” will spotlight female trailblazers in the field and discuss how mentorship, sponsorship, and institutional reforms can enhance women’s representation and leadership in cyber and cloud careers.
Recognised as a vital hub for Africa’s technology ecosystem, Africa Tech Festival 2025 will host a full programme of panels, policy discussions, and networking sessions designed to foster collaboration, strengthen digital resilience, and accelerate the continent’s technological growth.
