• Djibouti presents bill to create independent National Cybersecurity Authority

• ANC to set standards, monitor threats, and boost cybercrime cooperation

• Effort part of plan to become regional tech hub by 2035

Djibouti is advancing plans to establish its National Cybersecurity Authority (ANC), an initiative first announced in early October. On Monday, November 10, Minister of Digital Economy and Innovation Mariam Hamadou Ali presented the bill creating the ANC to a parliamentary committee of the National Assembly.

According to a ministry statement released on Tuesday, November 11, the bill establishes an independent authority responsible for setting national standards and protection procedures for critical sectors. It also calls for a national center to monitor and respond to cybersecurity incidents, while promoting international cooperation on cybercrime and expanding training and awareness programs.

The goal is to protect national cyberspace and strategic digital infrastructure, boost confidence in the digital economy, and attract investment. “This law is not just a piece of legislation; it is a clear statement that Djibouti takes the protection of its national security seriously in the digital age, and an investment in building a safe and resilient future for generations to come,” the ministry said.

Cybersecurity Hub Ambitions

The plan to create the ANC was first mentioned on October 1 during the Arab Council of Ministers Responsible for Cybersecurity, held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. According to the Djiboutian delegation, the authority is meant to consolidate the country’s institutional and regulatory framework, complementing existing initiatives such as the National Cybersecurity Strategy, the Digital Code, and the annual National Cybersecurity Week.

Djibouti has also stepped up its international cooperation efforts. In late October in Hanoi, Vietnam, it signed the United Nations Convention on Cybercrime, becoming one of 71 signatories, including 21 African countries. The country had already ratified the African Union’s Malabo Convention on cybersecurity and personal data protection in November 2023. In November 2024, it strengthened ties with Qatar, which the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) recognizes as a global model in the field.

These efforts align with the government’s vision to make digital technology a driver of economic and social development. With growing investments in infrastructure, Djibouti aims to become a regional technology hub by 2035. However, the ITU warns that this ambition will require stronger commitments to cybersecurity to fully unlock the digital sector’s potential.

Djibouti currently ranks in the fourth tier of the ITU’s 2024 Global Cybersecurity Index, with a score of 11.84 out of 20 in the legislative pillar. The organization says Djibouti must step up its efforts in organizational, technical, capacity-building, and cooperation areas to close the gap.

Isaac K. Kassouwi