This article builds a case for an African cybersecurity grand strategy.
Geopolitics and grand strategy in the digital world
In geopolitics, the concept of “grand strategy” has long been the preserve of empires and superpowers. At its core, grand strategy is the art of aligning a nation’s political, economic, and military resources to achieve long-term objectives, typically in the context of national security or international influence. It requires foresight, coordination, and an understanding of both immediate threats and distant opportunities.
However, grand strategy is not limited to conventional battlefields in our interconnected world. The digital arena has become the new theatre of power struggles, and nowhere is the need for a coherent grand strategy more urgent than Africa’s cybersecurity approach.
For a continent undergoing rapid digital transformation, the stakes could not be higher. While Africa’s potential for economic growth and technological advancement is undeniable, the accompanying vulnerabilities in cyberspace are equally profound. Without a coordinated, long-term vision—a grand strategy—Africa risks falling prey to cybercriminals, hostile states, and other malicious actors. In this context, adopting a grand strategy that addresses cybersecurity is not just an option but an imperative.
Why grand strategy?
Grand strategy is fundamentally about securing a nation’s future by anticipating and countering threats while seizing opportunities. For African nations, cybersecurity should be viewed through this same lens—not as a niche concern for IT departments, but as a vital component of national security, economic stability, and political sovereignty.
In a continent increasingly shaped by digital infrastructure, the lines between traditional security and cybersecurity have blurred. Financial systems, power grids, transportation networks, and even military operations are now controlled or monitored online. The risks associated with a failure to protect these systems are existential. A significant cyberattack on critical infrastructure could not only devastate economies but also undermine governments and destabilise entire regions.
Cybersecurity is no longer just about protecting data; it is about protecting the state itself. And in the absence of a comprehensive, continent-wide grand strategy, African nations are at risk of being left behind, perpetually reactive rather than proactive in defending against cyber threats. As cybercriminals grow more sophisticated, their attacks will outpace Africa’s ability to respond — unless it adopts a strategic approach.
The urgency for Africa
For Africa, the need to adopt a grand strategy addressing cybersecurity is immediate. The continent’s growing digital economy, fuelled by widespread mobile connectivity and the expansion of fintech, has created fertile ground for both innovation and exploitation. As more Africans enter the digital space, cybercrime has surged in parallel. A report by Interpol noted that Africa recorded over 70% of global mobile money transactions in 2020, but this has also made it a prime target for cybercriminals.
The sheer scale of these vulnerabilities demands a coordinated response. A grand strategy would provide a framework for African nations to pool resources, share intelligence, and standardise cybersecurity policies across borders. It would encourage governments to adopt a forward-looking approach, anticipating cyber threats before they materialise, and investing in the infrastructure, education, and institutions needed to build a resilient digital future.
Key elements of an African cybersecurity grand strategy
Education and capacity building
At the heart of any grand strategy must be the development of a cybersecurity workforce. This cannot be achieved overnight, but Africa must prioritise education at every level—from primary schools to universities—to create a generation of cyber professionals equipped to defend the continent’s digital frontiers. Furthermore, reskilling existing workers and launching public awareness campaigns on basic cybersecurity practices should be integral to the strategy. Without a skilled workforce, even the most advanced tools and technologies will be ineffective.
Regional cooperation and coordination
Africa’s political and economic landscape is defined by a complex web of regional relationships, and cybersecurity should be no different. A grand strategy must involve collaboration across national borders, particularly in sharing intelligence and resources. The African Union’s Convention on Cybersecurity and Personal Data Protection (the Malabo Convention) provides a legal framework, but it is underutilised. African nations must go beyond legal agreements and create operational frameworks that allow for real-time cooperation in responding to cyber threats.
Public-private partnerships
Governments alone cannot secure Africa’s digital future. The private sector—especially in industries such as finance, telecommunications, and healthcare—must be engaged as a key partner in any grand strategy. Public-private partnerships can facilitate the sharing of best practices, resources, and innovations, while also ensuring that cybersecurity standards are upheld across sectors. The “platformisation” of cybersecurity services, where companies offer their expertise to those without the resources to build their own defences, is one such solution that could be scaled across the continent.
Investment in infrastructure
Africa’s technological infrastructure is expanding rapidly, but in many cases, it is doing so without the necessary cybersecurity protections in place. A grand strategy must include significant investment in the security of these systems, ensuring that digital infrastructure is not an afterthought. This includes securing cloud services, data centres, and the critical infrastructures that underpin daily life, such as energy grids and communication networks. Without a secure foundation, Africa’s digital transformation could collapse under the weight of cyberattacks.
Foresight and innovation
The best strategies are not merely reactive; they are anticipatory. Africa’s grand strategy must account for the ever-evolving nature of cyber threats, investing in research and development to stay ahead of malicious actors. This could involve fostering innovation hubs focused on cybersecurity, incentivising the development of African-grown solutions to cyber challenges. Additionally, governments should be forward-thinking in creating cybersecurity policies that can adapt to new technologies, such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing, before they become widespread.
A digital arms race
In many ways, Africa finds itself at the crossroads of a global digital arms race. Nations that develop robust cybersecurity defences will not only protect themselves from external threats but will also position themselves as leaders in the global economy. Conversely, those that fail to address their vulnerabilities will remain at the mercy of cybercriminals and foreign adversaries.
A grand strategy is not a guarantee of success, but it provides a roadmap—a vision of where Africa must go to secure its place in the digital age. Cybersecurity is no longer a back-office concern; it is a matter of national and continental survival. Africa’s future will be written in lines of code, and without a grand strategy to guide it, the continent risks becoming a casualty in the digital war for dominance.
The time to act is now. Africa must adopt a grand strategy that positions cybersecurity as a cornerstone of its long-term growth, stability, and sovereignty. Anything less would be courting disaster in an increasingly perilous world.
