e-Crime Bureau signs cybersecurity partnership with Smart Africa to strengthen continental digital security

Cybersecurity consulting firm e-Crime Bureau has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Smart Africa Secretariat to support the development of cybersecurity and strengthen digital security across Africa.

The agreement was signed in Accra, Ghana, on Monday, November 2, 2026, on the sidelines of the 15th Africa Internet Governance Forum (AfIGF) 2026.

The partnership will focus on supporting cybersecurity innovation and building capacity across the continent.

It comes as Smart Africa intensifies efforts to promote cybersecurity through a coordinated continental approach, including the development of the Continental Cybersecurity Blueprint in 2023 and the establishment of the African Network of Cybersecurity Authorities (ANCA) as a consultative body for cybersecurity development.

Under the agreement, the two institutions will collaborate in three key areas: people, processes and technology.

On people, the partnership will focus on developing Africa's cybersecurity workforce and skills while promoting cooperation among the private sector, governments and the international community.

Regarding processes, the parties will work to strengthen governance and risk management, including the protection of critical information infrastructure, as well as promote legal and policy harmonisation across the continent.

In the area of technology, they will collaborate on developing and deploying solutions to protect Africa's digital ecosystem.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Director General and Chief Executive Officer of Smart Africa, Mr Lacina Koné, said Africa's digital transformation depended on the strength of the systems protecting its digital infrastructure.

“Africa’s digital transformation can only be as strong as the systems that protect it. Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility that requires stronger cooperation, coordinated action and sustained investment in our people and institutions,” he said.

He said the partnership with e-Crime Bureau would help strengthen cybersecurity expertise, improve institutional coordination and advance the protection of critical digital infrastructure across the continent.

Mr Koné reaffirmed Smart Africa's commitment to working with the Bureau to implement the objectives of the agreement.

The partnership follows e-Crime Bureau's restructuring into a global cybersecurity consulting firm, with operational hubs in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

The restructuring was approved by the company's Board of Directors in 2026 as part of its Transition & Growth Strategy, which builds on the firm's 15 years of experience to expand its services across international markets, particularly in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

The European hub, based in Como, Italy, focuses on standards, certifications, regulatory best practices, research, innovation and technology partnerships. It also coordinates engagements with development partners.

The Middle East hub leads business development and service delivery, while the African hub, based in Accra, Ghana, concentrates on talent and skills development to support the company's global operations.

Commenting on the development, Executive Chairman of the e-Crime Bureau, Dr Albert Antwi-Boasiako, said the expansion and partnership with Smart Africa marked a new chapter for the company.

“Our expansion and our partnership with Smart Africa mark 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, providing our clients with the full strength of the firm, regardless of where they operate,” he said.

He added that the company would work with Smart Africa and its partners to advance cybersecurity development across the continent by building the skills, infrastructure and resilience required to support a digital economy.

The partnership brings together Smart Africa's work in cybersecurity and e-Crime Bureau's technical expertise, with the shared objective of advancing cybersecurity innovation and capacity development across Africa.

e-Crime Bureau is a global cybersecurity consulting firm incorporated and operating through its hubs in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Its consulting practice connects expertise across the three regions, combining established track records, technology solutions, regulatory standards and contextual business knowledge to deliver measurable results to clients.

The firm works with governments, private sector organisations and international partners to strengthen cyber resilience.

It combines technical expertise with practical experience in global standards, regulations, risk management and business strategy to help clients anticipate threats, respond proactively to incidents and build lasting resilience.