With Africa's increasing digitization, there are opportunities for growth and innovation--but so are the risks. Can Africa secure its digital frontier? Dr. Abiodun Akinwale, who has over a decade of expertise in cybersecurity, shares some cyber safeguard strategies in an interview for Africa Renewal with Nneji Godwin.
Can you introduce yourself and tell us about your journey in cybersecurity?
I am a cybersecurity expert with over 30 years of experience in digital communications and over a decade in cybersecurity. I hold a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Nigeria. I specialize in designing algorithms and models to tackle cybersecurity challenges in mission-critical systems. My work earned me and my team a prestigious grant from the Nigeria Research Fund (NRF) in 2020. In my role at OAU's World Bank-sponsored Africa Centre of Excellence in ICT, OAK-Park, I facilitate cybersecurity training across Nigeria, West Africa, and East Africa. I am currently developing a cybersecurity software suite designed to protect the entire TCP/IP stack in distributed wired and wireless systems.
What inspired your career in cybersecurity?
I was motivated by the need to combat the alarming damage caused by hackers and intruders. Despite advances in ICT, its unsafe deployment remains a major concern. My passion is to make Africa a safer digital environment while inspiring others to join the fight against cybercrime.
How severe are cyber threats in Africa today?
Africa faces escalating cyber threats, making it one of the most targeted regions globally. Recent statistics show that organizations in Africa experienced the highest number of weekly cyberattacks per organization in 2023, doubling previous years' figures.
Key challenges include inadequate cybersecurity frameworks--the vast majority of African businesses lack robust defenses. Common attack methods include phishing, social engineering, and ransomware. Countries like Nigeria and South Africa bear the brunt. Nigeria alone lost over $500 million in 2022, according to Nigeria's Economic and Financial Crime Commission. And the Communications Authority of Kenya reported the country lost $83 million to cybercrime in 2023. These threats result in financial loss, disrupt businesses and erode trust in digital systems.
What areas of intervention could you identify?
Without decisive action, Africa's cybersecurity landscape could worsen significantly. With internet access projected to reach most Africans in the coming years, the digital attack surface will expand exponentially. Also, cybercriminals are increasingly leveraging AI, machine learning, and advanced tools to enhance their operations.
Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters
Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox
In addition, many African countries lack comprehensive laws, making them easy targets for global cybercriminals. Critical sectors like energy, banking, and telecommunications remain under-secured, posing risks of catastrophic disruptions.
Emerging threats such as attacks on IoT devices, ransomware epidemics, and geopolitical cyber conflicts could further destabilize the continent.
What initiatives are you championing to tackle these challenges?
Some of the actions that I have taken include training Programs--we recruit and train young professionals in cybersecurity through free workshops. I try to upgrade professionals' knowledge in specialized areas like digital forensics. I am also developing software tailored to Africa's unique cybersecurity challenges.
