Ethiopia to Host International Cybersecurity, AI Conference to Bolster Africa’s Cyber Resilience

Addis Ababa, June 16, 2026 (FMC) — Ethiopia is set to host an international conference on cybersecurity and artificial intelligence next week, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, and development partners to advance Africa’s cyber resilience and promote the secure adoption of AI amid the continent’s accelerating digital transformation.

The conference, scheduled for June 24–25, 2026, is being organized jointly by the Ethiopian Cybersecurity Association and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).

Speaking at a press briefing today, Ethiopian Cybersecurity Association President Berhane Beyene said the forum will focus on strengthening Africa’s cyber resilience, reinforcing data sovereignty, and promoting the secure and responsible adoption of artificial intelligence.

He noted that the conference will bring together representatives from government institutions, cybersecurity and AI organizations, regulatory authorities, academia, and the business community.

The event will also convene national security institutions, ministers responsible for ICT and digital transformation, Security Operation Center (SOC) and Network Operation Center (NOC) practitioners, operators of critical infrastructure, financial institutions, telecommunications providers, utility companies, AI security researchers and professionals, universities, innovation hubs, research institutes, global cybersecurity vendors, and development partners.

According to Berhane, the conference is expected to strengthen Africa’s cyber resilience by fostering knowledge exchange and collaboration, sharing practical experiences in cybersecurity implementation and incident response, and showcasing AI-powered security solutions.

Speaking on the occasion, UNECA representative Amos Homodza underscored the importance of the conference as African countries continue to accelerate digital transformation, with governments digitizing public services, businesses embracing cloud technologies, financial institutions expanding digital payment systems, and organizations increasingly leveraging the transformative potential of artificial intelligence.

He noted that AI is already reshaping how people work, learn, govern, innovate, and deliver services, making cybersecurity an indispensable foundation for trust in the digital future as the two fields become increasingly interconnected.

Homodza added that the conference will explore ways to strengthen cybersecurity capabilities across sectors while advancing the responsible, secure, and inclusive adoption of artificial intelligence across the continent.