Addis Ababa, 24 June 2026 (ECA) - The inaugural International Conference on Cybersecurity in the Era of Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence opened today at the United Nations Conference Centre in Addis Ababa. This important event brings together policymakers, cybersecurity practitioners, researchers, technology leaders, and development partners from across Africa.
Jointly convened by the Ethiopian Cybersecurity Association (ECySA) and the Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the two-day conference, held under the theme “Risks, Resilience and Africa's Strategic Imperatives” marks a significant milestone in establishing a continental platform for evidence-based dialogue at the intersection of Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence.
Opening the conference, ECA Deputy Executive Secretary for Programme Support Mama Keita emphasized the critical stakes involved: Artificial Intelligence is no longer just about processing information. It now generates knowledge, shapes institutions, and informs decision-making at all levels of society, with profound implications for security.
"Every technological revolution creates opportunities, but seldom distributes it equally. Those who invest, innovate, and govern with foresight reap the greatest benefits, while those who hesitate risk being relegated to consumers rather than creators of the future," said Mama Keita added.
The conference was officially opened by Ms. Tigist Hamid, Director General of the Information Network Security Administration (INSA), who shared insights on Ethiopia's cybersecurity journey over the past eight years. Under Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s leadership, Ethiopia has implemented landmark legislation, including the Critical Infrastructure Protection Proclamation, the Data Protection Proclamation, the Electronic Transaction and Signature Proclamations, and the Cybercrime Proclamation, positioning the country as a benchmark for digital governance on the continent.
Ms. Hamid reiterated Ethiopia's commitment to cybersecurity education, technical training, research, innovation, talent development, and regional and global cooperation on digital resilience.
In the first keynote address, Mr. Tsegaye Emmanuel Mekael, Chief Information Security Officer at Ethio Telecom, underscored that secure digital transformation is a leadership journey rather than a technical project. Ethio Telecom, he noted, has integrated AI to enhance customer experience, optimize operations, and anticipate future needs, viewing cybersecurity as a strategic enabler of economic growth, digital trust, and regional integration. Africa, he argued, has a genuine opportunity to lead globally in FinTech, digital public services, and innovation if the foundations of security are established now.
ECySA President Berhanu Beyene welcomed the gathering to what he described as the beginning of a sustained continental conversation grounded in operational realities rather than theoretical frameworks. This conference is designed as the inaugural edition of a recurring pan-African forum, convened at the diplomatic heart of the continent, with ECA headquarters serving as its institutional home.
"Cybersecurity is no longer just an IT issue — it is a priority for business, governance, research, and national sovereignty. This conference brings together policymakers, innovators, researchers, and practitioners who are shaping Africa's digital future," stated Mr. Berhanu Beyene, President, ECySA
The conference will continue through 25 June 2026, featuring sessions on critical infrastructure protection, AI-enabled defense tools, capacity building, and regional cooperation.
Issued by:
Communications Section
Economic Commission for Africa
PO Box 3001
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
Tel: +251 11 551 5826
E-mail: eca-info@un.org