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UK Pledges £22m to Support Cyber Capacity Building in Africa
Dominic Raab, British Foreign Secretary, has announced £22 million of new investment to build cyber security resilience in developing countries and globally, particularly in Africa and the Indo-Pacific.
He disclosed this in a speech delivered at the National Cyber Security Centre’s CYBERUK conference on Wednesday.
Raab announced that the UK would spend about £3 million of this funding to help INTERPOL set up a new team that will fight cybercrime in Africa.
The new INTERPOL desk will work across Nigeria, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya and Rwanda creating a regional strategy to support joint operations against cybercrime, and strengthen African states’ capability to combat the crime and those behind it.
Since 2018 the UK has been actively partnering with Nigeria to support the development of Cyber Security policies and strategies.
Both countries share an ambition to create a safe and secure digital community that provides opportunities for Nigerian citizens and promotes peaceful engagement in cyberspace that enhances national prosperity.
The launch in February this year by President Buhari of the new Nigerian National Cyber Security Policy and Strategy (NCPS) 2021 followed well-targeted UK-funded technical assistance through the UK’s Digital Access Programme.
That programme has also funded a project to upskill Small Medium and Enterprises across Nigeria on cyber basics which was delivered through the NGO CyberSafe Foundation (https://cybersafefoundation.org/).
The UK Department of International Trade (UK DIT) has also hosted a virtual event for Nigerian stakeholders interested in cyber security for the financial services sector. This event discussed emerging cyber security issues for the sector and showcased aspects of the UK’s approach.
Today’s development is a part of the UKs ambition to build global cyber resilience. We see Nigeria and Africa as a whole as an important partner in this. With some of the fastest growing economies in the world, Africa has become a target for opportune cybercriminals. By creating a central coordination desk within INTERPOL that law enforcement across Africa can use, the UK hopes to improve collaboration across borders to advance intelligence sharing, and ultimately stop the perpetrators of cybercrime in Nigeria and across Africa.
Speaking to the conference of security experts the Foreign Secretary outlined that the UK wanted to act as a responsible cyber power. As well as working with other countries to shape cyberspace in line with our values, the UK is also making around £22 million of new investment available to support capacity building in cyber security for developing countries and globally.
In his speech, Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab said: “We are working with like-minded partners, to make sure that the international order that governs cyber activity is fit for purpose.
“Our aim should be to create a cyberspace that is free, open, peaceful and secure, which benefits all countries and all people.
“We want to see international law respected in cyberspace, just like anywhere else. And we need to show how the rules apply to these changes in technology, the changes in threats, and the systemic attempts to render the internet a lawless space.”
INTERPOL Secretary General Jürgen Stock said: “With more than 4.5 billion people online, more than half of humanity is at risk of falling victim to cybercrime at any time, requiring a unified and strong response.
“The UK support for INTERPOL’s cyber initiative in Africa underlines its commitment to this fight and will be an important piece of the global security architecture to combat cybercrime.”
Cybercrime is one of the most prolific forms of international crime, with damages set to cost the global economy $10.5 trillion annually by 2025. With some of the fastest growing economies in the world, coupled with a reputation for weak network security, African countries are currently a big target for opportunistic cyber criminals.
In addition to cybercrimes, there is also a growing trend for higher impact online financial scams in Africa, with an INTERPOL survey revealing that in the two years between 2013 and 2015 criminals in Africa targeted businesses for an average of US$ 2.7 million each time.
Despite the best efforts of law enforcement across the region, on average only 30% of those crimes could be prosecuted due to differing legal systems and legislation across borders. The new INTERPOL team will lead efforts to change that, facilitating cross-border collaboration to stop cybercriminals.
Tech giants Google and Meta have called on the Australian government to delay a proposed bill that would ban children under 16 from accessing most social media platforms.
The companies argue that more time is needed to assess the bill’s impact and await results from an age-verification trial.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s government aims to pass the legislation—one of the strictest globally on children’s social media use—by Thursday, the final day of the parliamentary year. Introduced last week, the bill was open for public submissions for just one day, drawing criticism for its expedited timeline.
The proposed law would require social media companies, rather than parents or children, to enforce age-verification measures, potentially using biometrics or government-issued identification. Companies found in breach could face fines of up to A$49.5 million ($32 million).
Meta criticised the bill as “inconsistent and ineffective” without clear results from the age-verification trial. Google echoed the sentiment, urging for a measured approach to ensure Australians understand the implications of the legislation.
TikTok raised “significant concerns” over the lack of consultation with experts, social media platforms, mental health organisations, and young people. “Novel policies must be drafted thoroughly to ensure their success,” the company stated.
Elon Musk’s X also opposed the bill, arguing it could infringe on children’s human rights, including their freedom of expression and access to information. Musk, a vocal advocate for free speech, accused the government of using the bill as a backdoor to control internet access.
The opposition Liberal Party has signalled support for the bill, while some independent lawmakers have criticised the government for rushing its passage. A Senate committee report on the bill is expected on Tuesday.
If passed, the bill will place Australia at the forefront of regulating children’s online activity, but its swift progression and potential implications have sparked a heated debate over privacy, freedom, and the role of government in digital spaces.
TECNO SPARK 30 city tour made a memorable stop at Ikeja City Mall on November 15th, bringing with it an infectious energy that electrified the entire city.
As the event unfolded, it was clear that this was more than just a product showcase – it was an immersive experience designed to thrill and delight.
The day’s festivities kicked off with the iconic TECNO SPARK 30 transformer bus, painted in bold red and blue hues, rolling into action.
The bus served as the hub for a games grotto, where fans immersed themselves in thrilling digital games and adventures.
Outside, the excitement spilled over, with attendees engaging in friendly competitions of Jenga, Monopoly, Ludo, and chess.
These games sparked laughter, playful banter, and a sense of camaraderie among strangers.
As the games heated up, so did the rewards. Purchasers of the TECNO SPARK 30 Pro enjoyed a N20,000 discount and a chance to win up to 100% cashback by participating in the games.
The atmosphere was electric, with cheers of victory, enthusiastic applause, and celebratory high-fives.
The excitement reached a fever pitch with the arrival of tech and lifestyle creator Kagan, accompanied by Big Brother Naija Season 9 stars Victoria and Ruthee.
The trio dove into the action, competing in games and claiming victory. They were awarded TECNO-branded gift items, earning cheers and applause from the thrilled crowd.
The event was an unforgettable experience, leaving a lasting impression on all who attended.
During peak shopping days, this threat intensifies.
Here’s what happens: with the surge in online deals, more employees may be shopping from their work computers, feeling that Cyber Monday is a legitimate time to do so.
This increases the risk of them clicking more freely and potentially exposing the organization to malicious links or phishing attacks.
To keep your organization safe, encourage your team to follow these simple tips:
• Don’t click deals in email that look too good to be true or are from businesses you don’t have accounts from – these could be phishing emails hoping to bait you into clicking links to bogus, malicious web sites.
This season, small steps can make a big difference in protecting against cyber threats.
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