Joy Agwunobi
The Cyber Africa Forum (CAF), a key platform for discussions on digital transformation and cybersecurity in Africa, is set to hold its fifth edition in Cotonou, Benin, on June 24 and 25, 2025.
The event, backed by Benin’s ministry of economy and finance and the ministry of digital and digitalisation, will bring together top officials, business leaders, and innovative startups to explore Africa’s evolving digital landscape.
This edition marks a shift in the forum’s history, having previously been hosted in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. Organisers expect more than 1,000 participants, including ministers, tech executives, financial experts, and cybersecurity specialists, to discuss pressing digital issues and strengthen partnerships between the public and private sectors.
Over the past four years, the CAF has attracted over 6,000 attendees from 54 countries, featuring more than 80 major African and international companies. The upcoming forum will focus on digital resilience, tackling cyber threats, and unlocking opportunities in artificial intelligence (AI).
The 2025 edition will feature panel discussions, business meetings, and expert-led sessions on key issues such as harmonising digital regulations, expanding infrastructure investment, developing AI-driven solutions, enhancing cybersecurity, and fostering startup growth. The role of e-governance in achieving inclusive digital transformation will also be a focal point.
The forum will also spotlight initiatives aimed at boosting inclusivity, including Cyber Africa Women, which promotes female participation in the digital economy. Other key activities include a hackathon, a crisis management exercise for business leaders, and discussions among Chief Information Officers (CIOs) and Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) on best cybersecurity practices.
Franck Kié, general commissioner of CAF, emphasised the strategic importance of hosting the forum in Benin, underscoring the country’s growing reputation as a hub for digital innovation in West Africa. He highlighted that beyond being a national milestone, the event serves as a crucial step toward strengthening cooperation across Africa’s digital ecosystem.
According to Kié, the forum presents a unique opportunity to drive transnational collaborations by bringing together key stakeholders, including policymakers, business leaders, startups, and financial institutions. By leveraging this collective effort, he stressed that Africa can take decisive steps toward establishing itself as a formidable player in the global digital economy.
Marc-André Loko, general director of ASIN, noted the forum’s importance in strengthening regional cybersecurity. “The Cyber Africa Forum is a strategic opportunity to consolidate our efforts in making Benin a leader in digital security while addressing the challenges facing the continent,” he said.
Similarly, Yena Kignaman-Soro, deputy general commissioner of CAF, said: “With this edition, we aspire to catalyse a secure and sustainable digital transformation that aligns perfectly with Africa’s challenges. By emphasising artificial intelligence, we aim to unleash Africa’s innovative potential. Our goal is to ensure that young people and women play a central role in this evolution, not only as beneficiaries but as key actors shaping the continent’s digital future.”
