As cyber threats continue to evolve across borders, regional cooperation is becoming increasingly critical to safeguarding digital economies and critical infrastructure. In a major step toward strengthening cybersecurity collaboration, Mercury Communications, organizer of CAISEC ’26, has announced a strategic partnership with Smart Africa and the Arab Information and Communication Technologies Organization (AICTO).
The partnership aims to establish a unified Arab-African approach to cybersecurity and digital sovereignty, enabling countries across both regions to enhance their collective preparedness against emerging cyber risks while fostering greater cooperation in digital transformation initiatives.
Strategic Partnership to Advance Digital Sovereignty
The agreement brings together key stakeholders from Africa and the Arab world at a time when cybersecurity has become a fundamental pillar of economic stability, national security, and sustainable digital development.
Through this collaboration, Smart Africa—host organization of the African Network of Cybersecurity Authorities (ANCA) Secretariat—and AICTO will work alongside CAISEC to promote cross-border coordination and strengthen regional cybersecurity frameworks.
The initiative reflects a growing recognition that cyber threats no longer respect geographical boundaries, requiring coordinated responses and shared strategies among nations facing similar digital challenges.
High-Level Arab-African Cybersecurity Dialogue
A centerpiece of the partnership will be the high-level roundtable discussion, “Securing the Future: Arab and African Perspectives on Cybersecurity,” scheduled during CAISEC ’26.
The roundtable will bring together representatives from 22 Arab and African countries, alongside cybersecurity experts, policymakers, industry leaders, and representatives from regional and international organizations.
Discussions will focus on developing a common strategic vision for addressing future cyber threats, particularly as artificial intelligence and emerging technologies continue to reshape both offensive and defensive cybersecurity capabilities.
The event will also mark the first official institutional dialogue between the African Network of Cybersecurity Authorities (ANCA) and Arab cybersecurity stakeholders, creating new opportunities for collaboration in threat intelligence sharing, capacity building, digital trust initiatives, and cybersecurity workforce development.
Industry Leaders Highlight Importance of Regional Cooperation
Ossama Kamal, CEO of Mercury Communications, described the partnership as a significant milestone in building a long-term Arab-African cybersecurity cooperation framework.
He noted that CAISEC has evolved into a leading regional platform that promotes strategic dialogue among governments, institutions, and private-sector organizations, helping strengthen digital resilience and protect critical infrastructure.
For his part, Eng. Mohamed Ben Amor, Secretary General of AICTO, welcomed the expanded cooperation with CAISEC, highlighting the event’s growing regional and international influence.
He emphasized that the latest edition reflects a strategic expansion, particularly through the participation of cybersecurity decision-makers from both Africa and Europe.
Meanwhile, Lacina Koné, CEO of Smart Africa, stressed that collective action is essential to securing the digital future of both regions. He described cybersecurity as a strategic necessity for building digital trust, safeguarding critical infrastructure, and creating an environment that supports innovation, investment, and sustainable digital transformation.
CAISEC ’26 to Convene Regional Cybersecurity Leaders
The fifth edition of CAISEC will take place on June 8–9 under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouly and with the support of Eng. Raafat Hindi, Minister of Communications and Information Technology.
Held under the theme “Securing the Future and Insuring Against the Unknown,” the event is expected to attract government officials, policymakers, cybersecurity professionals, technology leaders, and international organizations from across the Middle East and Africa.
Since its launch in 2022, CAISEC has rapidly established itself as one of the region’s most influential cybersecurity platforms, supporting dialogue, innovation, and cooperation aimed at building secure and resilient digital economies.
As cyber risks become increasingly complex and interconnected, the new partnership between CAISEC, Smart Africa, and AICTO represents a significant step toward creating a stronger and more coordinated cybersecurity ecosystem across Africa and the Arab world
