Cotonou to Host Cyber Africa Forum 2026

The sixth edition of the Cyber Africa Forum (CAF) is set to take place in Cotonou, Benin, on November 16-17, 2026, at the Sofitel Cotonou Marina Hotel & Spa. The event, themed "Building Tomorrow's Digital Trust," will bring together over 1,500 public and private decision-makers. This year's forum aims to strengthen collaborations between public and private actors on cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and digital sovereignty issues.

The forum's significance lies in its timing, as Africa faces increasing cyber threats and seeks to bolster its digital sovereignty. According to INTERPOL, reported cybercrime losses on the continent surged from $192 million in 2024 to $484 million in 2025. Artificial intelligence now features in over half of reported cybercrimes. The CAF will address these challenges through discussions and partnerships among attendees.

High-level ministerial and institutional mobilization is expected, with several African ministerial delegations in attendance. These include Benin's Minister of Digital Transformation and Innovation, Mahuna Akplogan, and counterparts from Côte d'Ivoire, the Republic of Congo, Gabon, and Nigeria. Heads of national agencies responsible for digital and cybersecurity will also participate.

The forum will feature prominent figures from the private sector, including Uche Ofodile from MTN Bénin, Charles Kié, president and CEO of Genesis Holding Company, and Stanislas Zézé-Bayard, president and CEO of Bloomfield Investment Corporation. Over 70 partners and sponsors have confirmed their engagement, including Deloitte, Nyquist-Shannon, and Huawei.

Key discussions will focus on building digital trust, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence. The forum will also include exclusive presentations, such as Deloitte's barometer on the state of cyber threats in Africa in 2026. StreamScan will lead a cyber crisis management exercise for CAF CIO/CISO Club members.

Franck Kié, Commissioner General of the Cyber Africa Forum, noted that this edition results from work initiated in 2025 and reflects growing confidence in the forum from government and private actors. The event has attracted significant attention, with over 70 partners participating, many for the first time.

The Cyber Africa Forum 2026 is poised to become a pivotal event where local and international actors converge to exchange ideas. With its focus on pressing digital issues, the forum aims to drive meaningful collaborations and solutions for Africa's digital future.

Key points

• The Cyber Africa Forum 2026 will address pressing issues such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and digital sovereignty.
• Over 1,500 public and private decision-makers are expected to attend the forum.
• The event has garnered support from over 70 partners and sponsors.