Africa should play an important role in developing the modern digital world, Professor Lumumba believes. However, for it to become permanent, it is essential to establish stable cybersecurity on the continent.
Today, Africa faces challenges in data protection because it lacks its own tools, as most technology is controlled by the West. For example, in the banking sector, a money transfer from Nigeria to Kenya goes through a bank in New York via the SWIFT system, which is registered in Belgium. Another factor that makes Africa vulnerable to fraudsters is that, while each country creates its own data protection laws, the continent lacks a unified cybersecurity strategy.
To ensure that the money and data of African citizens and companies remain secure, Africa must develop its own technology, foster cooperation with reliable partners, and train new specialists. In this way, the continent could become more resilient to cyberthreats.
