Parliamentarians and stakeholders who attended the recently concluded African Internet Governance Forum in Abuja have expressed their concerns regarding the issue of cybercrime in Africa.
In a communiqué released on Thursday, it was revealed that cybercrime poses a potential threat to the successful implementation of the African Union Agenda 2063. The stakeholders have called for increased investments and collaboration among African countries to address cybercrime effectively.
The communiqué stated, “Cybercrime remains a potential threat to the implementation of the AU 2063 agenda and the AU’s digital transformation strategy. The African Union and African governments should ensure adequate investment to combat cybercrime activities, promote international cooperation, and provide capacity-building for lawmakers, law enforcement agencies, the judiciary, and other relevant stakeholders.”
The AU Agenda 2063 serves as a blueprint for transforming Africa into a global powerhouse of the future through inclusive and sustainable development.
The communiqué further emphasized that “African states should enforce cyber laws, adopt a people-centric approach, and implement checks and balances.”
During his speech, Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, stressed the importance of focusing on shared norms, rules, and decision-making procedures that impact the evolution and utilization of the internet in Africa. He highlighted the forum’s significance as a platform for idea exchange and collaboration to empower all Africans and shape the desired internet landscape.
Samuel George, a member of the Ghanaian parliament and the Secretary-General of the African parliamentary network on Internet governance, emphasized the need for national governments to consider power supply as a crucial element in bridging the digital divide in underserved and unserved areas.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cybersecurity, Shuiab Salisu, affirmed the National Assembly’s commitment to providing legislative support to ensure that Nigeria harnesses the potential of emerging technologies by enacting enabling laws.
