• Nigeria partners Kaspersky to combat $500M annual cybercrime losses.
• MoU focuses on training, threat intel, and critical infrastructure protection.
• Nation actively fights cybercrime, but ITU notes need for more development.

Nigeria’s National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kaspersky Global, a move aimed at bolstering the West African nation’s cybersecurity ecosystem.

The partnership comes as Nigeria faces an estimated $500 million in annual losses due to cybercrime, highlighting the growing financial impact of digital threats in a rapidly transforming economy.

GITEX Nigeria: NITDA Signs MoU with Kaspersky to Strengthen Nigeria’s Cybersecurity

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kaspersky Global to strengthen Nigeria’s cybersecurity ecosystem.… pic.twitter.com/G9M8OOkUPN

— NITDA Nigeria (@NITDANigeria) September 3, 2025

The MoU, formalized during the GITEX Nigeria 2025 event held in Abuja and Lagos on September 3 and 4, outlines a comprehensive collaboration. Under the agreement, Kaspersky will support NITDA in organizing training programs to enhance local cybersecurity skills, conducting public awareness campaigns, and engaging in joint research initiatives to improve digital defense capabilities.

The partnership also facilitates the sharing of threat intelligence and information on attacks targeting Nigerian citizens, public institutions, and critical digital infrastructure. Furthermore, it paves the way for the establishment of robust frameworks and standards to safeguard the country’s essential digital assets.

NITDA emphasized the significance of this collaboration, stating in a release, including on its X page, that it represents “major milestone in Nigeria’s digital resilience journey, combining global expertise with national drive to secure the country’s digital future."

This strategic alliance aligns with the Nigerian government’s broader efforts to curb the escalating trend of cybercrime, which has been exacerbated by the nation’s accelerated digital transformation. Recent law enforcement actions underscore the scale of the challenge.

In November 2024, an Interpol-coordinated operation led to the arrest of 306 cybercriminals across several African countries, with 130 arrests made in Nigeria alone. Throughout 2024, Nigerian police reported apprehending 751 individuals involved in cybercrime activities.

Nigeria has also been active on the international front in its fight against cybercrime. In May 2025, the country signed an MoU with the United Kingdom to enhance the efficiency of its judicial system in combating cybercrime by streamlining administrative processes.

Additionally, Nigeria participated in Interpol’s Operation Serengeti 2.0, conducted from August 2024 to June 2025, which resulted in the arrest of 1,209 cybercriminals across 18 African nations and the recovery of approximately $100 million.

Domestically, Nigeria enacted an amended version of its 2015 Cybercrime Act in 2024. Key provisions of the updated legislation include the establishment of sectoral Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs), clarification of cyber-harassment provisions, and the introduction of a cybersecurity tax to fund national initiatives.

Despite these proactive measures, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) places Nigeria at the third level out of five in terms of cybersecurity development. In its “Global Cybersecurity Index 2024,” the ITU commends Nigeria’s progress in technical and legal aspects but stresses the need for further strengthening of organizational structures, skill development, and international cooperation. The collaboration with Kaspersky, a global leader in the sector, could significantly aid Nigeria in advancing its cybersecurity posture, though the current agreement remains an MoU.

This article was initially published in French by Isaac K. Kassouwi

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum