• Pan-African cybersecurity platform ICCA launched in Kigali, Rwanda

• Aims to train one million experts by 2030

• Initiative targets rising cyberattacks, offers tools and regional cooperation

The International Cybersecurity Community for Africa (ICCA), a pan-African cybersecurity platform, was launched on Friday, March 20, in Kigali, Rwanda. The initiative aims to unite experts across the continent and strengthen regional operational capabilities.

The International Cybersecurity Community for Africa (ICCA) officially launched in Kigali on 20 March 2026.

More than just an organization, ICCA is a movement focused on building a stronger, more resilient cybersecurity ecosystem across Africa through collaboration, capacity… pic.twitter.com/hq7fUm09dz

— International Cybersecurity Community for Africa (@icca_afrika) March 21, 2026

The platform is designed as a cooperation framework focused on sharing information on digital risks, training, and talent development. Its launch comes as cyberattacks intensify. According to figures presented at the inauguration, African organizations face an average of about 1,848 attacks per week.

To respond to this trend, the ICCA aims to train one million specialists by 2030, a significant challenge, given that the continent currently has only 300,000 cybersecurity professionals amid rapidly growing demand.

Two technological tools were unveiled to support that objective. The first, Umurinzi Cyber Threat Intelligence, detects compromised credentials on the dark web and alerts targeted organizations. The second is a hands-on training system based on the Capture the Flag (CTF) format, offering simulated attacks to build technical skills at controlled costs in an environment tailored to local conditions.

Backed by Rwandan authorities and international partners, the initiative is part of a broader strategy to develop human capital and protect critical infrastructure. Through the project, its backers aim to build an integrated digital ecosystem capable of addressing the challenges of digital transformation.

In its roadmap, the ICCA plans to expand to around 15 countries by 2027 and establish certification programs. It also intends to launch an African cyber resilience index to measure how well states are prepared to respond to cybercrime.

Samira Njoya