Kaspersky and Smart Africa Forge Landmark Cybersecurity Partnership to Strengthen Digital Security Across Africa
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In a significant move to bolster digital security across Africa, Kaspersky has signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Smart Africa. This strategic partnership aims to enhance cybersecurity capabilities, foster skill development, and promote gender inclusion in the field of digital security.
Building Cybersecurity Skills and Bridging the Gender Gap
A core focus of the collaboration is human capacity development, with Kaspersky providing cybersecurity training through its Kaspersky Academy, an international educational initiative launched in 2010. The partnership also emphasizes gender inclusion, supporting initiatives that empower women and girls in cybersecurity, STEM, and ICT fields—an extension of Kaspersky’s ongoing efforts to attract more female professionals to the IT sector.
Standardizing Cybersecurity Policies
Beyond skill development, the partnership seeks to establish harmonized regional and national cybersecurity policies. This includes working closely with cybersecurity authorities, law enforcement agencies, computer emergency response teams, and industry leaders to develop a unified digital security framework across African nations.
Strengthening Africa’s Cyber Defenses
The initiative is also geared toward enhancing technological resilience by developing critical cyber infrastructure. This includes:
- Establishing Security Operation Centers (SOCs)
- Setting up Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs)
- Providing expert technical consulting to mitigate cybercrime risks
Lacina Koné, CEO of Smart Africa, emphasized the importance of the collaboration:
“This MoU marks a significant milestone in securing Africa’s digital future. By partnering with Kaspersky, we are not only enhancing cybersecurity skills and bridging the gender gap but also driving regional cooperation and cutting-edge cyber infrastructure.”
Eugene Kaspersky, Founder and CEO of Kaspersky, highlighted the company’s commitment to the initiative:
“Our partnership with Smart Africa is a strategic step toward creating a safer cyberspace across the continent. This collaboration will empower both individuals and organizations, ensuring they can navigate the digital world securely and confidently.”
A Unified Approach to Cybersecurity in Africa
This partnership aligns with the African Network of Cybersecurity Authorities (ANCA)—a Smart Africa-led initiative that brings together cybersecurity authorities from across the continent to tackle the growing threats of cybercrime. With Smart Africa’s vision of a secure, inclusive, and digitally empowered continent, this collaboration positions Africa as a leader in cybersecurity innovation.
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