E-Business
Analyst Picks Holes in Proposed AU Cybersecurity Convention
A proposed African Union (AU) convention seeking to step up the fight against cybercrime across Africa has critics up in arms over its potential to curb internet freedoms, according report by ITWeb Africa.
The African Union Convention on Cyber Security (AUCC), awaiting voting on in January 2014, proposes “establishing a credible framework for cyber security in Africa through organisation of electronic transactions, protection of personal data , promotion of cyber security, e-governance and combating cybercrime.”
The AU is, apparently, seeking to establish the convention because of what it says are African states’ “dire need of innovative criminal policy strategies that embody states, societal and technical responses to create a credible legal climate for cyber security.”
The move to introduce the convention comes as cyber crime levels in Africa are growing.
It could be recalled that the Norton Cybercrime Report for 2012, the likes of South Africa hosts the third-highest number of cyber crime victims in the world, behind only Russia and China.
In addition, the South African Cyber Threat Barometer 2012/13 put the total direct losses to cybercrime in South Africa between January 2011 and August 2012 at R2.65 billion.
But Kenyan based Strathmore University’s Centre for Intellectual Property and Information Technology Law (CIPIT) has hit out at the proposed AU cyber security convention and called for the convention not to go ahead in its current form.
The centre says the convention, if adopted as is, could abuse Africans’ right to privacy, harm freedom of expression, introduce legislative overkill and place too much power in the hands of judges.
A draft version of the convention allows judges, in the “public interest”, to call for the interception of individuals’ electronic communications without permission from these individuals.
“Our first concern is the omission to the right to privacy,” Rene Enoakpar of Strathmore University’s CIPIT told ITWeb Africa.
“The issue of public interest is complex because it has no unified meaning,” he said.
Enoakpar explained to ITWeb Africa that regulatory agencies in Africa could have varied interpretations of what is in the public interest.
He also said that these interpretations could reflect interests of political actors, especially governments, which in turn makes this provision problematic.
Furthermore, the ability to interfere with traffic data without permission could risk freedom of expression on the continent as well.
“With this provision, we think the right to freedom of expression will be seriously curtailed,” Enoakpar said.
Other aspects of the convention introduce what Enoakpar said is “legislative overkill.”
Enoakpar said the bill wants increased focus on crimes committed with online resources or computers. But he said this provision could make it possible for aggravation in situations where, for example, a criminal robs a bank after sending an email.
Other concerns regarding ‘legislative overkill’ include parts of the convention that want corporate bodies to be held responsible for offences that individuals commit using the corporations’ technology.
The convention also wants service providers to conduct vulnerability testing for their technologies: a requirement that could hold back e-commerce on the continent, Enoakpar said.
As a last concern, Enoakpar said the convention “grants absolute power to judges.”
Enoakpar added that judges on the continent are not adequately trained to deal with cybercrime and cyber security, making this absolute power even more problematic.
In a bid to stop the convention then from being adopted in its current form, the Strathmore’s CIPIT has started a campaign to oppose the ratification of it by the AU.
The centre has petitioned Kenya’s parliament through an open letter regarding the convention. The petition is sponsored and endorsed by the likes of search giant Google and technology innovation centres iLabAfrica and Nairobi’s iHub.
“We call attention to the fact that the context within which it is being passed will make the convention unfeasible,” Enoakpar told ITWeb Africa.
“We think that there is need for substantive revision,” Enoakpar said.
However, while the CIPIT and its supporters are looking to stop the AU cyber security convention from being adopted in its current form, the organisation does nevertheless want an Africa focused convention on cyber security.
African countries such as South Africa are looking to implement data privacy laws such as the Protection of Personal Information (POPI). But for those countries that do not have such endeavours as yet, there is a need for a guiding framework such as an AU cyber security convention, Enoakpar told ITWeb Africa.
But that framework cannot jeopardise civil liberties, contain legislative overkill or hand over too much power to judges, Enoakpar said.
“The nature of cybercrime is transnational, and that notwithstanding I know many African countries do not have an effective legislation on cybercrimes.”
“A good starting point would be for the African Union (AU) to come up with a model law on cybercrime,” said Enoakpar.
The Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA) presents its report on .ng domain name registration and renewal statistics for the first quarter of 2025, highlighting the continued expansion of Nigeria’s digital footprint. The data underscores a consistent and significant adoption of the nation’s Country Code Top-Level Domain (ccTLD), reinforcing its pivotal role in the burgeoning Nigerian digital economy.
During the period spanning January to March 2025, a total of 40,791 .ng domain names were recorded. This figure comprises 22,236 new registrations and 18,555 renewals, indicating a healthy balance between the acquisition of new digital identities and the sustained commitment of existing domain name holders to their online presence.
Analysis of the registration trends within the quarter reveals a notable upward trajectory, with a 13.92% increase in domain name registrations observed between February and March 2025.
This growth signifies an increasing recognition of the importance of a localized online identity by a diverse range of stakeholders, including individuals, startups, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), and larger organizations.
Notably, the .com.ng extension continues to be the dominant choice, accounting for over 60% of both new registrations and renewals. This reaffirms its status as the preferred domain name extension for Nigerian businesses seeking to establish a credible and locally relevant online brand presence while maintaining global accessibility. The sustained popularity of .com.ng underscores its perceived value among Nigerian entrepreneurs and enterprises seeking to secure their digital real estate.
This upward trajectory isn’t happening by chance. The Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA) has remained intentional in its drive for digital inclusion and domain adoption. Through public education, training via the .ng Academy, outreach campaigns, and partnerships with stakeholders across the tech ecosystem, NiRA has consistently advocated for the importance of owning a local domain. The current standing of .ng as the second most registered ccTLD in Africa reflects the efficacy of these efforts.
Digital adoption in Nigeria is no longer just about being online—it’s about owning your digital identity. And with a .ng domain, Nigerians are better positioned to assert that identity, connect with local and international audiences, and gain better control over their digital footprints.
As we look toward the rest of 2025, the Q1 results serve as a strong signal: more people are embracing the digital future, and the .ng domain is increasingly becoming their first step.
National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) of Nigeria has launched a new digital identity verification tool called the NIN Authentication (NINAuth) application.
The initiative, which forms part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aims to strengthen the country’s national digital identity management framework.
The launch builds upon Nigeria’s comprehensive unified digital identity system that has been transforming access to financial services and government programs.
The NINAuth application introduces several key features focused on data security and privacy.
The platform requires explicit user consent before sharing identity information for Know Your Customer (KYC) processes, giving individuals greater control over their personal data.
The system provides seamless access to various government services, including SIM card registration, immigration applications, passport processing, tax filings, and financial transactions.
The development follows significant investment in Nigeria’s digital identity infrastructure, including a $45.5 million support from the World Bank as part of the Digital Identification for Development (ID4D) project.
As the official service for integration with NIMC’s backend infrastructure, NINAuth enables secure verification processes across ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs).
The application is available for download on both the Google Play Store and Apple iOS App Store for users of the National Identification Number (NIN).
The rollout represents a significant milestone in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to digitize government services and strengthen identity verification processes.
“NINAuth is a cutting-edge suite of services including web, API, and mobile verification designed to enhance data security, protect privacy, and simplify access to government services,” said Dr. Kayode Adegoke, Head of Corporate Communications at NIMC.
“The platform introduces a robust layer of protection, empowering individuals with greater control over their personal information.”
The implementation supports the objectives of the recently established Nigeria Digital Identification for Development Project Ecosystem Steering Committee, which oversees the country’s digital identity initiatives.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the launch of the NINAuth app and directed its use for verification and authentication across all MDAs.
The application provides a secure single sign-on solution for accessing government services and social protection programs while maintaining strict data privacy controls.
The centralized approach to digital identity management represents a significant step forward in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey and its commitment to modernizing government services.
Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has set in motion a machinery to checkmate the booming copyright piracy market in the country.
Copyright piracy is said to cost Nigeria an annual loss estimated at billions of naira.
Despite the absence of a coordinated or official statistics to gauge the quantum of loss, John Asein, director general, NCC, said as far back as 2019, Nigeria lost N918 trillion ($3 billion) annually to digital piracy.
The financial damages severely impact local businesses and innovation efforts.
The commission, in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), has started a project to develop strategies and tools to address the menace.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting on the WIPO project to address online copyright piracy in Nigeria, Asein said digital technologies have unlocked tremendous opportunities for the creative and innovation sectors.
The NCC boss said technology also poses serious challenges, including online piracy, which he said is growing rapidly.
He said: “Pirate sites continue to emerge rapidly, with statistics indicating a 6.7 per cent increase in user visits. A significant percentage of these users are students aged between 18 and 24, with social media and messaging platforms becoming major gateways for accessing pirated content.”
He added: “No industry is immune. The most affected sectors include television (43.6 per cent), publishing (27.5 per cent), film (12.9 per cent), music (7.0 per cent), and software (6.2 per cent).
“Far beyond mere statistics, the victims are no longer only foreign right owners. Many Nigerians in these sectors have also been bruised and their creative enterprises ruined.”
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