Nairobi, Feb. 10 – Strengthening the cybersecurity skills of African startups active in artificial intelligence and accompanying their growth in a secure and sustainable manner. This is the goal of Cyber4Africa, the initiative launched by Cyber4.0 in collaboration with theAI Hub for Sustainable Development, the Ministry of Enterprise and Made in Italy (MIMIT)and Cisco, presented at theAI Forum in Nairobi on Feb. 9 and 10.
The program promotes the adoption of security by design principles in the development of artificial intelligence solutions and aims to strengthen the capacity of startups to manage cyber risks as they grow, particularly in sectors strategic to the continent’s economic and social development.
During the event, the Call for Expression of Interest for the Cybersecurity Essentials Program., a training and operational support track aimed at up to 120 African startups selected by the AI Hub. The program includes free training activities and practical content dedicated to data protection, digital infrastructure security, and resilience of AI systems.
Training will also be conducted through the Cisco Cybersecurity Training Center in Nairobi, with the goal of developing local technical skills and fostering the adoption of security practices aligned with international standards, adapted to the African context.
“Artificial intelligence offers great opportunities for growth, but it requires a solid security foundation,” said Matteo Lucchetti, Director of Cyber4.0. “With Cyber4Africa, we want to provide startups with concrete tools and operational expertise so that cybersecurity becomes an integral part of development processes from the earliest stages.”
The startups involved come from Mattei Plan countries, including Kenya, Egypt, Ethiopia and Ghana, and operate in key areas such as healthcare, agriculture, education, energy and digital infrastructure. In these sectors, cybersecurity is an essential element in supporting innovation and strengthening the confidence of investors and users.
The initiative is part of the path of cooperation initiated with the AI Hub for Sustainable Development and helps to promote digital development models based on capacity building, international collaboration and sustainable growth of local ecosystems.