e-Crime Bureau and the Smart Africa Secretariat have established a cybersecurity partnership to develop digital defense capabilities across the African continent. The two organizations formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding on November 2, 2026, in Accra, Ghana. This signing took place on the sidelines of the 15th Africa Internet Governance Forum, bringing together key regional stakeholders.
The agreement outlines a shared strategy focused on institutional growth and technical coordination. Furthermore, the collaboration will direct vital resources toward protecting critical digital infrastructure. Both entities plan to address current information security demands through targeted capacity building.
Structure of the cybersecurity partnership
Under the new cybersecurity partnership, the organizations focus on three specific areas comprising people, processes, and technology. This triangular framework addresses operational readiness and policy alignment. In addition, it establishes clear protocols for technical training, vulnerability tracking, and joint defense measures.
“Through our collaboration with e-Crime Bureau, we aim to strengthen cybersecurity expertise and advance the protection of critical digital infrastructure across the continent.”
Lacina Koné, Director General and CEO of Smart Africa
Strategic Role of Regional Hubs
The formal alliance aligns with an ongoing global restructuring by e-Crime Bureau, an ISO/IEC 27001-certified consulting firm. The firm relies on 15 years of industry experience across three distinct operational hubs located in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Specifically, each regional hub directs specialized responsibilities to optimize international project execution.
The European hub in Como, Italy, focuses on regulatory standards, formal certifications, and technology research partnerships. Meanwhile, the African hub in Accra manages practical project execution and technical skills development. This balanced distribution of responsibilities ensures consistent operational standards across all collaborative programs.
Connecting Gulf Technology with African Markets
The Middle East hub utilizes this cybersecurity partnership to connect Gulf technology firms and investors with African initiatives. Operating from Dubai, this hub oversees business development and service delivery across international territories. Consequently, it channels investment capital and enterprise software tools directly into African security programs.
Gulf partners involved include technology enterprises, innovation centers, and investment groups participating in government-led digital transformation. These relationships allow regional experts to deploy advanced tools and share insights gained from national protection projects. As a result, African institutions gain direct access to proven security frameworks and funding networks.
Institutional Leadership and Future Outlook
“Our expansion, and our partnership with Smart Africa, marks a new era for the Bureau. With global hubs in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, we serve as a bridge that connects expertise, talent, experience, insights and technology.”
Dr. Albert Antwi-Boasiako, Executive Chairman of e-Crime Bureau
Moving forward, the initiative aims to build sustainable resilience against evolving digital threats. By combining Smart Africa’s continental reach with technical consulting in cybersecurity, the alliance will support secure enterprise environments. The phased rollout will begin with specialized training programs and infrastructure assessments across participating African nations.
