CyberWeek Africa 2026 Calls for Stronger AI Cybersecurity and Regional Cooperation
By Peace Muthoka
NAIROBI, October 30, 2026 — Kenya has called for stronger cybersecurity defences as artificial intelligence makes it easier for criminals to create convincing scams, imitate voices and target mobile money users, raising fresh concerns about the safety of Africa’s rapidly expanding digital economy.
The warning came as CyberWeek Africa 2026 ended with more than 1,200 participants from 20 countries calling for stronger policies, better technology and skilled professionals to counter emerging cyber threats.
The conference, held under the theme “Cyber Threat Intelligence in the Age of AI,” brought together government officials, technology companies, academics, non-profit organisations and start-ups to examine how artificial intelligence is changing the cybersecurity landscape.
While AI offers new ways to detect and prevent attacks, participants cautioned that criminals can also exploit the technology to develop more sophisticated schemes. They called for closer cooperation between government agencies, businesses and regulators to protect critical information, secure networks and maintain public trust in digital services.
Principal Administrative Secretary for Internal Security Jacob Narengo, who closed the event on behalf of the Principal Secretary for Internal Security and National Administration, said AI could strengthen security but also give attackers new ways to deceive their victims.
“AI is a force multiplier—both shield and spear. Threat intelligence is how defenders stay ahead knowing about the attack before it strikes, so AI can help defenders detect threats in seconds or it can help attackers fake voices, craft convincing scams and target mobile money users,” Narengo said.
He warned that Africa risks exposing its growing digital economy to greater danger if governments and organisations fail to strengthen their security systems alongside technological expansion.
“Given preparation, AI multiplies resiliency; but given neglect, it multiples exposure. For Africa, expanding our digital ecosystem without hardening its defenses means building our future on sand,” he added.
Narengo pointed to Kenya’s National Cybersecurity Strategy and AI Strategy as important frameworks for addressing the risks. He also highlighted policies under development covering digital governance, cybersecurity, data governance, AI and emerging technologies.
The closing remarks reinforced the conference’s central message: technological growth must go hand in hand with stronger protection, effective regulation and investment in people who can identify and respond to cyber threats.
Kenya pushes for stronger cyber cooperation
National Cybersecurity Agency Chair Dr Martin Koyabe called for greater trust among stakeholders to encourage the sharing of information about cyber threats.
Koyabe, who attended the conference throughout, emphasised that digital sovereignty should not mean isolating countries from one another. Instead, he called for stronger collaboration between government agencies, industry players and regulators, including those overseeing the financial sector.
The conference ended with participating organisations outlining actions to improve information sharing, reflecting growing recognition that cyber threats require coordinated responses rather than isolated efforts.
The event was among the first major gatherings in Kenya since the establishment of the National Cybersecurity Agency, offering the new agency an opportunity to engage stakeholders on the country’s cybersecurity priorities.
Training takes centre stage
Alongside policy discussions, the conference placed emphasis on developing the technical skills needed to strengthen cyber defences.
During the opening ceremony, European Union Ambassador Andreas Peschke congratulated 19 Kenyan professionals who had earned certification as SIM3 cyber auditors. Tahar Benattia of Expertise France also presented awards to the winners of a hackathon supported by Expertise France and the European Union.
Organisers said the event attracted more than 1,200 participants from 20 countries. In the lead-up to the conference, cybersecurity awareness sessions also reached 21 institutions of higher education across Kenya.
Huawei Kenya Country Cybersecurity and Privacy Officer Kaine Zhang said building users’ capacity must go hand in hand with providing secure products and solutions.
The company supported a network training programme through which 21 government ICT officers received recognition at the closing ceremony after completing the training.
Huawei Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Cybersecurity Expert Lu Hao also spoke about developing next-generation autonomous intelligent security operations systems. He stressed the importance of connecting security tools to give organisations a clearer view of their digital environments, helping them prevent attacks, detect suspicious activity and respond quickly.
The conference was led by the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy, alongside the Kenya School of Government, the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, and the National Cybersecurity Agency, in collaboration with other partners.
As Kenya and other African countries expand their digital services, participants said investment in cybersecurity skills, secure systems and information sharing would remain critical to protecting institutions and citizens from increasingly sophisticated attacks.
