Minister Savannah Maziya of Eswatini delivered a keynote address at the Africa Cybersecurity Indaba 2026, held at The Galleria Conference & Exhibition Centre in Sandton, South Africa. Her address, titled "From National Strategy to Continental Resilience: Building Trusted Digital Nations Across Africa," emphasized the growing importance of digital security in Africa. As governments, businesses, and financial institutions increasingly rely on interconnected digital systems, Maziya stressed the need for stronger cooperation among African countries to tackle cybersecurity challenges.
The Africa Cybersecurity Indaba 2026 brought together stakeholders from various African countries, including South Africa, Eswatini, Botswana, Kenya, Lesotho, Ghana, Malawi, and Zimbabwe. The two-day event provided a platform for discussions on strengthening cybersecurity, building trust in digital services, and improving response to cross-border threats. The Indaba was co-hosted by CyberM8 Initiative NPC and South Africa's Department of Communications and Digital Technologies.
Founder and Chief Empowerment Officer of CyberM8 Initiative NPC Thabang Phala highlighted the importance of businesses understanding their digital dependencies and establishing clear responsibilities to prepare for disruptions. He emphasized that businesses can invest in protecting their systems but still depend on services they do not control. Phala stressed the need for organizations to establish clear procedures for responding to disruptions and ensuring continuity of operations.
The Indaba featured various speakers, including Dr. Andile Ngcaba, Chairman of Digital Council Africa and Founder and Executive Chairman of Convergence Partners. Dr. Ngcaba was scheduled to address resilient infrastructure for an artificial intelligence-driven future. Dr. Martin Koyabe, Non-Executive Chairman of Kenya's National Cybersecurity Agency (NCSA), was also listed on the program. A panel on financial resilience examined cybercrime, artificial intelligence, and digital payments.
For Eswatini, the discussions at the Indaba are particularly relevant as digital connectivity becomes increasingly important to public service delivery, business operations, and financial transactions. The country's participation in the event demonstrates its commitment to enhancing its digital security and cooperation with other African countries.
The Indaba's focus on continental resilience and cross-border cooperation aligns with Eswatini's goals for digital development. Minister Maziya's address emphasized the need for a collective approach to addressing cybersecurity challenges in Africa. The event concluded after two days of discussions on strengthening cybersecurity across the continent.
The outcome of the Indaba is expected to contribute to the development of more effective cybersecurity strategies in Africa. Key stakeholders, including government leaders, cybersecurity professionals, researchers, and industry representatives, gathered to share knowledge and best practices. The discussions are expected to inform policy and infrastructure development in the region.
Key points
- Eswatini's Minister of Information, Communications and Technology Savannah Maziya addressed the Africa Cybersecurity Indaba 2026.
- The Indaba brought together stakeholders from various African countries to discuss cybersecurity policy, infrastructure, and regional cooperation.
- Minister Maziya emphasized the need for continental resilience and cross-border cybersecurity cooperation in Africa.
