The Global Cybersecurity Initiative has been officially launched in Windhoek, marking a historic milestone toward strengthening digital security across Africa.
The initiative brought together key stakeholders from government, media agencies, and the private sector.
The project aims to establish a trusted digital ecosystem across Africa's 54 markets by connecting governments, businesses, and corporate sectors.
The Executive Chairman of DS Tech Namibia and GCI, Paulinus Sheehama, revealed that the initiative is driven by a 35-year strategic vision running from 2026 to 2061, aligned directly with Africa's Agenda 2063 and the UN SDGs.
“We are told that Africa loses an estimate of about N$4 billion annually to cyber crime. Now, cyber crime costs continue to rise as digital services expand. Less than half of African countries have much worse cyber security strategies, and the cyber security skill gap remains a major charge across the continent.”
Sheehama emphasised that as the continent accelerates its digital connectivity, cybersecurity must shift from a secondary concern to an absolute national priority.
He challenged Namibia to anchor itself within the broader continental market by heavily reinforcing its digital infrastructure.
The initiative champions a unified strategy, "one relationship, multiple markets," to build a secure digital gateway for Africa.
Managing Partner of AI Africa Regenesys, Dr. Nishal Khusial, explained.
“In so far as each one of us here goes, it is our responsibility; it is our commitment as expected within our individual fields to protect society.”
Speaking on behalf of NBC's Director General Menesia Muinjo, the Head of Department for Sports, Sackie Shikufa highlighted the critical responsibility of journalists in driving digital literacy.
Shikufa noted that cybersecurity is no longer a future concern but an immediate survival necessity.
“For the media to play a meaningful role in driving Africa's digital transformation, African media houses must first transform and embrace digital themselves. We cannot guide the public through a landscape we cannot master.”
Managing Director of Frank Dialogue Holdings and Chairman of SAICCE Prof. Onkgopotse Tabane gave a breakdown in trade numbers.
“Inter-Africa trade is 15%, maybe 16 if you overcalculate. In Europe, it's 68%. This is chalk and cheese, and we cannot mess around and not acknowledge that.”
Professor Tabane urged African states to act with profound urgency, describing the initiative as a "digital superhighway" capable of accelerating continental trade