The Republic of Congo announced at the Cyber Africa Forum 2025 that it will host a large-scale regional Cyberdrill exercise in Brazzaville-Kintélé from July 1 to 4, aimed at strengthening cross-border cybersecurity readiness across the continent.
The event, co-organised by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), INTERPOL, Congo’s National Information Systems Security Agency (ANSSI), and the African Centre for Artificial Intelligence Research (CARIA), will bring together cybersecurity experts, law enforcement, and ICT officials from across Africa.
Simulating cyber incidents to test regional response
The four-day Cyberdrill will focus on enhancing preparedness, information sharing, and cooperation among national Computer Security Incident Response Teams (CSIRTs), Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs), and law enforcement bodies.
The event follows a structured framework of Reflect, Share, Learn, and Practice, combining strategic dialogue with hands-on exercises including real-time simulations of cyberattack scenarios. Key areas of focus include threat detection, digital forensics, and crisis recovery protocols.
Participants will engage in hands-on simulations to test incident response capabilities and operational resilience. Day one will focus on strategic dialogue, while days three and four will include real-time drills on cyberattack scenarios.
Congo’s digital strategy and youth investment
Minister Ibombo positioned the Cyberdrill as part of Congo’s broader digital transformation strategy, outlined in its National Development Plan 2022–2026 and Vision 2030.
He noted that the digital economy’s contribution to GDP has grown to nearly 6%, supported by reforms in data protection, cybersecurity, and institutional capacity.
Congo is also prioritising skills development, especially for youth and women. Through partnerships with Huawei, the Smart Africa Digital Academy (SADA), and the UNDP, the country is rolling out targeted training, entrepreneurship support, and research opportunities in emerging technology fields, such as AI and blockchain.
Future priorities include local R&D investment, promoting digital sovereignty through national cloud systems, and improving regional connectivity. The Cyberdrill is expected to reinforce these efforts by enhancing trust and technical resilience in Congo and beyond.
A united front against cyber threats in Africa
The ITU-INTERPOL Africa Cyberdrill highlights the growing need for unified action against rising cyber threats on the continent. With support from global agencies and local leadership, the Republic of Congo is positioning itself as a regional hub for cybersecurity collaboration.
The event will bring together national cybersecurity authorities, academic institutions, telecom operators, regulators, and private sector stakeholders.
It marks a milestone in Africa’s efforts to create a secure digital future built on coordination, innovation, and resilience.
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