African Policy Paper · Analysis note no. 02 · October 2026
Cybersecurity as Foreign Policy in Africa
From the Malabo Convention to regional deterrence: how African diplomacies should address cyber threats against critical infrastructure.
- Author
- SOADAN Koffi Sylvain
- Theme
- Cybersecurity Foreign Policy & Law
- Affiliation
- IAI-Togo · University of Lomé
- Type
- Policy note
Executive summary
Cybersecurity is no longer merely a matter of server maintenance: it has become central to international relations and state sovereignty. In Africa, the accelerated digitisation of power grids, central banks, submarine cables and administrations exposes nations to sophisticated, often cross-border attacks. This document argues for a pan-African cyber diplomatic doctrine based on mutual assistance and concerted attribution.
Strategic recommendations
- Create a network of cyber attachés: deploy technical and legal experts within strategic embassies and delegations to the African Union and the UN.
- Pool regional CERT/CSIRT capacity: make threat-intelligence sharing mandatory within sub-regional blocs (ECOWAS, EAC).
- Safeguard submarine cables: negotiate a multilateral African treaty guaranteeing physical and cyber protection of Internet landing points.
How to cite this publication
SOADAN Koffi Sylvain (2026). “Cybersecurity as Foreign Policy in Africa: From the Malabo Convention to Collective Resilience”, SKS Policy Notes & Analysis, Note no. 02, Lomé, Togo.