KAIPTC: Africa Needs Collaborative AI & Cybersecurity Governance

Africa needs stronger collaboration to create effective Artificial Intelligence and cybersecurity governance. This call comes from Air Vice Marshal David Anetey Akrong, Commandant of the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre. He emphasizes that while AI and digital technologies offer great opportunities, they also expose African countries to sophisticated cyber threats. These threats require a coordinated response across the continent. This initiative is part of a project by KAIPTC, the United Nations Development Programme, and the Government of Japan. The Commandant highlights that AI, data-driven systems, and cyber technologies are now central to governance and security in Africa. Governments are using AI for border management and intelligence. However, the continent faces growing threats like cybercrime, deep fakes, and misinformation. Terrorist groups are also using digital tools for their operations. Many African countries have gaps in AI and cybersecurity governance. The bottom line is that collaborative governance is crucial to protect peace and security in Africa's rapidly evolving digital landscape.