Addis Ababa, June 25, 2026 (FMC) – Ethiopia is laying a strong foundation for a secure and resilient digital future through comprehensive policy reforms, strengthened legal frameworks, and enhanced cybersecurity capabilities, Information Network Security Administration (INSA) Director-General Tigist Hamid said.
Speaking at an international conference on Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence held in Addis Ababa on Thursday, the Director-General said Ethiopia has made notable progress in building a trusted digital ecosystem capable of supporting the country’s broader digital transformation and development ambitions.
According to Tigist, Ethiopia’s National Cybersecurity Policy was comprehensively revised in 2024 to address emerging technological developments, evolving cyber threats, and international best practices.
She noted that the country has since established a robust legal and institutional framework aimed at strengthening trust and confidence in the digital environment. The framework includes laws and proclamations related to critical information infrastructure protection, personal data protection, electronic transactions, electronic signatures, telecom fraud prevention, and cybercrime.
The Director-General further highlighted Ethiopia’s expanding cybersecurity infrastructure, which includes security operations centers, advanced threat intelligence capabilities, cyber incident response systems, and continuous monitoring mechanisms designed to safeguard digital assets and services.
Emphasizing the strategic significance of cybersecurity, Tigist said a secure digital ecosystem is essential for protecting national sovereignty, enhancing economic resilience, and advancing sustainable development in an increasingly interconnected world.
She also underscored the need for greater investment in cybersecurity education, advanced technical training, research and innovation, and youth talent development to ensure the country remains prepared for emerging digital challenges.
The Director-General called for stronger collaboration among governments, international organizations, academia, industry leaders, and development partners to build a safer and more resilient digital landscape.
Speaking at the same forum, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) Deputy Executive Secretary Mama Keita stressed that cybersecurity should be regarded not merely as a technical function within information and communication technology departments, but as a fundamental pillar of socioeconomic resilience.
She noted that the growing reliance on digital payments, online services, and digital platforms makes trust, system reliability, and data protection increasingly important for economic and social development.
Keita also highlighted the transformative impact of artificial intelligence, saying the technology is reshaping institutions by generating knowledge, creating content, supporting decision-making, and transforming how various sectors operate.
While AI offers significant opportunities to strengthen cybersecurity through faster threat detection and improved fraud prevention, she cautioned that cybercriminals can also leverage the technology to automate attacks, exploit vulnerabilities at scale, and undermine trust in digital systems.
Addressing these challenges, the Deputy Executive Secretary emphasized the importance of collective action involving governments, the private sector, academia, and international organizations.
She further stressed that Africa must play a proactive role in shaping its digital future, rather than merely adopting technological advancements developed elsewhere.