Cybersecurity And Sustainability: Africa’s Dual Imperative In The G20 Era

While digital technologies offer unprecedented opportunities to leapfrog traditional development barriers, they also introduce new vulnerabilities that, if left unaddressed, could undermine progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Cybersecurity is no longer a technical afterthought; it is emerging as a core pillar of sustainable development. The rapid digitalisation across Africa, from mobile banking in Kenya to e-health platforms in Rwanda and smart agriculture in Nigeria, is occurring within an ecosystem where cybersecurity capacity remains uneven. According to the World Bank, as at 2024, only 5 of 22 countries in Western and Central Africa and 10 of 26 in Eastern and Southern Africa had operational national Computer Security Incident Response Teams (CSIRTs) (1). This limited capacity exposes essential services to disruption, undermining trust, equity, and economic stability.

Cybersecurity in Africa must be viewed through the lens of sustainable development. Data, infrastructure and connectivity are increasingly central to how governments deliver services, how citizens engage and how businesses grow. A breach or failure in these systems does not merely affect operational continuity; it undermines trust, exacerbates inequalities, and compromises sovereign control over digital ecosystems. While international conversations around cybersecurity often focus on global powers and corporate espionage, Africa’s reality is unique, characterised by fast digital adoption, fragile infrastructure, and a growing reliance on cloud, mobile, and AI-powered technologies.

Across the continent, encouraging signs of progress are emerging. Ghana has established a Cybersecurity Authority (CSA) and a national CSIRT that have handled more than 50 000 incident reports to date. This infrastructure supports the country’s e-governance initiatives and bolsters public trust. Rwanda’s National CSA is a central element of its Smart Rwanda Master Plan, embedding cybersecurity within broader development planning. Kenya, a fintech powerhouse, has instituted cybersecurity guidelines through its Central Bank, ensuring that mobile money ecosystems remain resilient and trustworthy. These countries show that cybersecurity, when woven into national development agendas, acts as a foundational enabler of inclusive growth.

As Africa deepens its engagement with the global digital economy, these efforts become all the more important. Cybersecurity is essential for building trust with international partners, attracting investment, and asserting sovereignty in an era of data colonialism and cyber-geopolitics. South Africa’s G20 presidency is an opportunity to elevate these concerns to the global stage, linking digital trust to broader agendas around sustainability, climate resilience, and inclusive innovation.

Moreover, the definition of sustainability is evolving. No longer confined to environmental impact, it includes digital sustainability, the ability to create secure, ethical, and inclusive systems that stand the test of time. In this regard, cybersecurity intersects with the G20’s focus areas:

• Climate resilience: Smart agriculture, early warning systems, and grid management all rely on secure networks. A single breach can undermine entire ecosystems of climate-smart technologies.
• Digital inclusion: People must feel safe engaging with digital systems. When communities fear fraud, surveillance, or data breaches, digital adoption stalls and inequalities deepen.
• Economic stability: Cybercrime costs African economies billions of dollars annually. Strong cybersecurity frameworks reduce this drain and support small businesses, cross-border trade, and digital public infrastructure.

To move forward, African governments, private-sector actors and development institutions must prioritise:

• Investment in cyber-infrastructure: This includes national and regional CSIRTs, comprehensive cybersecurity policies, and harmonised legal frameworks.
• Local talent development: Africa’s youth are a strategic asset. Training programmes that target women and underrepresented groups will be essential to building a diverse, capable cybersecurity workforce.
• Secure-by-design principles: From digital IDs to smart grids, security must be integrated from the outset. This ensures resilience and reduces the cost and complexity of retrofitting solutions.
• Public-private collaboration: Companies bring innovation and technical expertise while governments provide scale and oversight. Effective partnerships are critical to long-term resilience.

Cybersecurity is no longer a separate or secondary conversation. It is central to how Africa builds trust in its institutions, protects its citizens, and asserts control over its digital future. As global conversations evolve to include the role of digital systems in achieving climate, equity, and development goals, Africa must continue to assert its voice.

With the right investment and coordination, Africa can lead by example, demonstrating that resilience, inclusivity and sustainability are not separate ambitions but part of the same digital future.