Cyber Africa Forum to Tackle Growing Regional Cyber Threats
The 6th edition of the event gathers 1,500 leaders this November to address AI-driven crime and digital trust in Africa.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Cybersecurity
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The Cyber Africa Forum will host its 6th edition on 16-17 November 2026 in Cotonou, Benin, to address the region's rising digital security challenges. The event will bring together over 1,500 decision-makers at the Sofitel Cotonou Marina Hotel & Spa to discuss digital trust and transformation.
Why it matters
The forum arrives as reported cybercrime losses in Africa surged from USD 192 million in 2024 to USD 484 million in 2025. With AI involved in 55% of recent incidents, industry leaders are increasingly prioritizing cybersecurity as a critical regulatory and economic necessity.
Reported cybercrime losses in Africa rose 152% year-over-year to USD 484 million in 2025. Additionally, 97% of respondents to the African Financial Industry Barometer now classify cybersecurity as a top regulatory priority.
The players
Kaydan Group
The organizing entity responsible for the structure and logistics of the Cyber Africa Forum.
The details
The programme is structured across three primary stages: the Digital Africa Stage, Innovation Talk, and Agora de la Tech. These sessions address how digital transformation affects regional security, while business matching services are coordinated through the forum's dedicated application. Simultaneously, 80 finalists will compete in HackerLab 2026, a 48-hour cybersecurity challenge testing technical defense capabilities in real-time environments.
Timeline
16 November 2026: Opening ceremony begins at 9:30 a.m.
16-17 November 2026: Sixth edition of the Cyber Africa Forum.
15-17 November 2026: HackerLab 2026 cybersecurity challenge takes place.
The Tech Race
The forum seeks to formalize regional collaboration to counter the rapid acceleration of AI-driven cyber threats across the continent. It follows the consensus established by the African Financial Industry Barometer, which ranks systemic cyber defense as the primary regulatory concern.
Decision-makers and industry professionals can participate by registering through the forum's website and coordinating meetings via the event application. The forum connects over 1,500 attendees to standardize security protocols across the African financial landscape.
The takeaway
The forum represents a shift toward unified regional cyber-resilience policies. Stakeholders should monitor the outcomes of the HackerLab 2026 challenge to evaluate the current effectiveness of regional cybersecurity training and talent pipelines.
Further reading
Explore deeper insights into regional threats and defensive strategies in our Cybersecurity section.
More information
To view the event schedule and registration details, visit the Official forum registration website.
Live Poll
Do you trust the digital systems and mobile services you currently use for your daily transactions?
