By Njeri Irungu
Nairobi, Kenya, October 28, 2025. Cyber Week Africa 2025 officially opened in Nairobi today, setting the stage for a week of high-level dialogue on strengthening Africa’s digital resilience under the theme “Compliance by Design: Securing Africa’s Digital Future.” The landmark event brings together government leaders, academics, and private sector stakeholders from across the continent to chart a path toward a safer and more innovative digital ecosystem.
Hosted by the Kenya School of Government (KSG) in partnership with the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy (MOICDE), the National Computer and Cybercrimes Coordination Committee (NC4), CyberPro Global, and Huawei, the conference emphasizes the growing need for cross-sector collaboration to safeguard Africa’s digital infrastructure.
Opening the conference, Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and the Digital Economy, Hon. William Kabogo Gitau, underscored the pivotal role of cybersecurity in Kenya’s national and economic agenda.
> “The theme ‘Compliance by Design’ captures the paradigm shift in our national approach. It means embedding security, privacy, and accountability into the design of every digital system from inception. Cybersecurity is not just a technical necessity—it is a pillar of our national sovereignty and an enabler of economic growth,” said CS Kabogo.
Representing the private sector, Mr. Samuel Cheng, Managing Director of Huawei Kenya Enterprise Business, reaffirmed Huawei’s commitment to building secure, future-ready networks while expanding Kenya’s local cybersecurity capacity.
> “As an industry, we must ensure that our networks and systems are resilient and secure. Huawei is firmly committed to ensuring that our solutions remain secure and to developing leading network security technologies,” he noted.
As part of its collaboration with the Ministry of ICT, Huawei marked the graduation of 40 government officers who completed advanced network security training—an initiative aimed at strengthening the country’s cybersecurity talent pool. The training program equips public servants with both technical and policy expertise to bolster cyber defenses and foster a culture of cybersecurity within public institutions.
Prof. Nura Mohamed, Director General of the Kenya School of Government, emphasized the importance of partnerships in driving digital transformation, noting the establishment of the Regional Center of Competence for Digital Skilling and Artificial Intelligence—the first of its kind in the region.
> “What we are trying to do is bring together all stakeholders so that we can drive the cybersecurity and artificial intelligence agenda, especially in the public sector,” said Prof. Mohamed. “This center will guide the full implementation of AI, digital skilling, and cybersecurity for national development.”
Adding an international perspective, Israeli Ambassador to Kenya, H.E. Gideon Behar, commended Kenya’s leadership in advancing digital security and drew parallels with Israel’s globally recognized cybersecurity framework.
> “If a country doesn’t have cybersecurity today, it cannot advance, because everything is digitalized. Cybersecurity is essential for the development and well-being of every nation,” he said. “Israel stands ready to support Kenya’s vision of becoming a regional hub for digital innovation and cybersecurity excellence.”
He further invited delegates to attend Cyber Week Israel 2025, set for December 8–11 in Tel Aviv, as part of deepening global cooperation and knowledge sharing.
Huawei continues to play a pivotal role in Kenya’s digital transformation, employing over 4,000 cybersecurity experts globally and dedicating 5% of its R&D budget to security innovation. Through partnerships with the Ministry of ICT, KSG, and local universities, Huawei is empowering government officers, students, and professionals with advanced skills in cybersecurity and cloud technologies.
As Kenya faces a surge in cyberattacks targeting both government and private systems, Cyber Week Africa 2025 serves as a critical platform to unite thought leaders, innovators, and policymakers in building a secure, inclusive, and innovation-driven digital economy for the continent.
