With Africa grappling with annual losses of US$4 billion to cybercrime, GITEX Africa, the continent’s largest tech and startup exhibition, is gearing up to address the pressing issue of cybersecurity at the GITEX Africa Cybersecurity Forum.
Scheduled for 29th to 31st May 2024 in Marrakech, Morocco, the event will seek to provide a platform for leaders and executives in Africa’s tech ecosystem to deliberate on cybersecurity’s pivotal role in the continent’s digital economy.
GITEX Africa Cybersecurity Forum
Discussions at the GITEX Africa Cybersecurity Forum will centre on topics including the role of high data costs in security vulnerabilities, Africa’s shortage of cybersecurity professionals, and the impact of inadequate security measures.
Director General of Ghana’s Cyber Security Authority, Dr. Albert Antwi-Boasiako, will be among the cybersecurity leaders who will share insights on Ghana’s approach to tackling these challenges. Ghana’s has faced increasing cybersecurity and data protection threats as its digital economy evolves, however, the country’s cybersecurity strategies have earned it the third rank amongst African nations in terms of commitment to cybersecurity, according to the Global Cybersecurity Index.
Ghana’s stance on cybersecurity is evidenced by the development of the National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy as early as 2015. Subsequent initiatives, such as the enactment of the Cybersecurity Act 2020 and the establishment of the Cyber Security Authority (CSA), are proof of Ghana’s commitment to creating a safer cyber environment. Key elements of Ghana’s cybersecurity strategy include capacity building, public awareness campaigns, ongoing research and development, and international cooperation.
The nation’s advancements in digital health, AI diffusion, and tech-driven urban development will take centre stage at GITEX Africa 2024. Notable speakers from Ghana include Co-founder and CEO of minoHealth AI Labs, Darlington Akogo, Mayor of Accra Metropolitan Assembly, Hon. Elizabeth Sackey, and Musician, Singer-songwriter, and UN Goodwill Ambassador for the Environment for Africa, Rocky Dawuni.
Source: GITEX Africa
By Derrick Kafui Deti – Digital Economy Magazine
