A high-level summit hosted by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in Nairobi has brought together policymakers, technology experts, and international partners to confront the dual challenges and opportunities posed by artificial intelligence and cybersecurity in the Horn of Africa.
Opening the three-day regional seminar, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communication and the Digital Economy, William Kabogo, called on IGAD member states to unite in building a secure and inclusive digital future.
“As each of our member states pursues digital transformation, we must recognise that cyber threats are transnational.
Misinformation, data breaches, cybercrime, and the misuse of AI tools are not problems any country can solve alone,” Kabogo told delegates.
He cited Kenya’s Digital Superhighway project—an ambitious initiative to deploy 100,000 kilometres of fibre optic infrastructure—as a cornerstone of the country’s digital ambitions.
He also outlined Kenya’s newly launched National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2025–2030 and its comprehensive cybersecurity strategy as proof of commitment to responsible innovation.
“Our commitment is rooted in the belief that technology must not deepen inequalities,” Kabogo said. “AI should not become the next racial or economic divide. Instead, it must become a bridge to opportunity.”
Kabogo proposed the creation of a regional threat intelligence-sharing platform, joint training initiatives, and a cross-border network of AI and cybersecurity research centres.
IGAD Executive Secretary Dr Workneh Gebeyehu echoed the urgency, warning that the region is becoming increasingly exposed to sophisticated cyberattacks.
“Cyberattacks account for 68 percent of digital breaches across Africa. Kenya alone lost more than $83 million to cybercrime in 2023,” he stated.
Dr Gebeyehu highlighted AI’s emerging role in regional security systems, citing Ethiopia’s use of predictive policing, Kenya’s AI-powered ambulance dispatch, and Uganda’s biometric digital ID as transformative examples.
Still, he warned that unless IGAD members coordinate efforts, these gains could be undermined by the region’s digital vulnerabilities.
He urged states to adopt what he called the “Nairobi Commitment,” built on three pillars: harmonised governance, deep investment in cyber talent, and homegrown AI innovation.
“By 2030, every IGAD citizen must benefit from AI while being shielded from its risks.
We must train cybersecurity professionals, support regional startups, and earmark at least 2 percent of national budgets for digital security,” he said.
Norway’s Ambassador to Kenya, Gunnar Andreas Holm, offered a cautionary tale from Europe.
“Just last week, our hydropower station was attacked remotely, opening sluice gates. That tells you how vulnerable we all are,” he shared.
Holm praised IGAD’s leadership and affirmed Norway’s support, noting that effective digital governance must be rooted in transparency, human rights, and inclusivity.
As discussions continue, the seminar is expected to deliver a formal regional compact on AI and cybersecurity, along with improved data-sharing protocols and training frameworks aimed at fortifying digital resilience across East Africa.
