Zambia and Sierra Leone strengthen cybersecurity defenses

African nations Zambia and Sierra Leone are intensifying efforts to bolster cybersecurity as their digital economies expand and critical infrastructure becomes more interconnected.

In Zambia, the Ministry of Technology and Science has called for strengthened cybersecurity capabilities to protect industrial and digital infrastructure. During a technical seminar in Lusaka, Permanent Secretary Eng. Dr Brilliant Habeenzu noted that while digital transformation drives economic growth and productivity, it also increases exposure to risks. With mobile internet subscriptions reaching approximately 4.7 million by the end of 2025, officials warned that cybercrime now poses a threat to national security, business continuity, and public trust.

In Sierra Leone, the National Cybersecurity Coordination Centre and the Ministry of Communication, Technology and Innovation have adopted sector-specific cybersecurity plans for the energy, health, education, and defense sectors. This World Bank-backed initiative aims to protect essential services that depend on one another, such as hospitals relying on stable energy and connectivity. These efforts align with broader ECOWAS regional frameworks to combat increasingly sophisticated and transnational cybercrime across the continent.