The global rise of challenges such as the need to combat AI-driven crimes and cyberviolence, tracing illicit financial flows and virtual assets, enhancing online child protection, and the use of electronic evidence in cross-border law enforcement concerns Africa as much as other continents, including Europe. Cybercrime does not respect borders. The spectre of those threats is central to the third African Forum on cybercrime and electronic evidence, which is taking place this week.
The forum brings together over 350 representatives from more than 35 African countries in Nairobi, Kenya, from 25 to 27 November to examine emerging cybercrime threats, and has been organised by the Council of Europe and the European Union alongside the Kenyan government. Part of the forum will also highlight the operational tools needed to strengthen cooperation between African nations in tackling cybercrime.
Improving international cooperation against cybercrime
Building on the success of the first two forums in 2018 and 2021, this year’s meeting aims to foster open discussions and knowledge-sharing between African countries, serving as a platform for enhancing capacities to combat cybercrime in line with the international standards promoted by the Council of Europe’s Cybercrime Convention (Budapest Convention) and for ensuring the protection of human rights and the rule of law in cyberspace.
Africa’s booming digital economy
Africa’s rapid digital transformation, with a population exceeding 1.4 billion and one of the fastest-growing digital economies globally, presents major opportunities, but also increasing risks from cyber threats. Cybercrime currently costs the continent over USD 4 billion annually, affecting individuals, businesses, and public institutions alike.
Since 2018, the African Forum on cybercrime has been a cornerstone of collaborative efforts by African policymakers, criminal justice authorities and international partners to address these challenges. The initiative supports the development of effective legal frameworks and specialised skills, and the strengthening of international cooperation on cybercrime and electronic evidence.
The forum is part of a broader partnership between the African Union Commission, the European Union and the Council of Europe, aimed at supporting African countries in building robust cybercrime responses and ensuring the protection of rights in the digital era.
The Council of Europe and cybercrime
The Council of Europe and other international organisations
