The ECOWAS Commission, in partnership with the German Federal Foreign Office and the European Union, hosted a high-level briefing and workshop on cyber diplomacy for the ECOWAS Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC) in Abuja.
The event aimed to enhance awareness of cybersecurity as a strategic foreign policy issue and to foster regional dialogue on cyber diplomacy.
According to Annett Günther, German Ambassador to Nigeria, “In an era where cyber threats know no borders, diplomacy is key to defending our shared values of security, trust, and cooperation in cyberspace.
“Cyber diplomacy promotes cross-border cooperation and represents a crucial step toward fostering a more secure and interconnected cyberspace—globally, and particularly here in West Africa.”
The workshop formed part of the ECOWAS-Germany-EU initiative on advancing cybersecurity, which seeks to implement the ECOWAS Cybersecurity Action Plan developed jointly under Germany’s G7 Presidency.
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The plan focuses on building cyber diplomacy skills, advancing confidence-building measures (CBMs), and strengthening critical infrastructure across the region.
ECOWAS Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy and Digitalisation, Mr. Sédiko Douka, emphasized the strategic value of digital resilience and multilateral engagement.
“As cyber threats grow in complexity and scale, particularly in a rapidly digitalizing West Africa, strengthening cybersecurity and international cooperation has become imperative to safeguard sustainable development and foster regional cyber resilience,” he noted.
Ambassador Musa Nuhu, Chair of the ECOWAS PRC, also addressed the gathering, underscoring the importance of regional cooperation in tackling cyber threats.
“The workshop marked another milestone in the ongoing implementation of the ECOWAS Cybersecurity Agenda and reaffirmed the commitment of all partners to strengthening regional security, trust, and sustainable digital transformation.”
The event highlighted the need for cross-border cooperation in addressing cyber threats and promoting a secure and interconnected cyberspace. As the region continues to digitalize, the importance of cyber diplomacy and regional cooperation will only continue to grow.
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