As Africa transitions from being a resource-rich continent to a player in the global digital economy, Galeboe Mogotsi, chief information and security officer (CISO) at the University of the Witwatersrand, emphasises that protecting the continent’s digital assets is becoming increasingly critical.
Africa has long been recognised as a continent rich in natural resources – diamonds, gold, oil and other minerals have shaped its history, economies, and politics. However, as the global economy shifts toward the digital age, a new kind of wealth is emerging: data.
In the digital era, data is the new gold. It fuels innovation, drives economic growth, and shapes the future of industries ranging from healthcare to finance. As Africa’s internet penetration grows, digital platforms, services and ecosystems are thriving. The continent’s rapid digital transformation offers immense opportunities, but it also exposes a critical vulnerability, cybersecurity.
Without proper protection, our digital assets could face the same fate as our natural resources: exploited by external forces, leaving African nations vulnerable and without the full benefit of their wealth.
Lessons from the past and a warning for the future
Africa’s history with natural resources is a cautionary tale. Despite being rich in valuable minerals, many African countries did not see the full benefits of these resources. Corruption, foreign exploitation, lack of infrastructure and inadequate governance allowed external players to extract immense value, often leaving behind environmental damage, social unrest and underdevelopment.
The digital world is no different. Without robust cybersecurity strategies, Africa’s digital economy is at risk of exploitation by cybercriminals, state-sponsored hackers and unethical corporations. Just as mineral wealth was extracted with little regard for the continent’s long-term prosperity, so too could digital assets be exploited, leaving African nations vulnerable to data breaches, intellectual property theft and financial losses.
The lesson is clear: we must take proactive steps to protect Africa’s digital wealth, just as we should have protected our natural resources. Here’s how we can ensure our digital assets are secured:
Just as nations need secure mines and oil fields, Africa needs robust cybersecurity frameworks to protect its data. Governments must prioritise cybersecurity in national policies, allocating more resources to build the necessary infrastructure to guard against cyberattacks. This includes implementing security measures for critical sectors like banking, healthcare, and telecommunications.
Africa’s cybersecurity talent gap is one of the biggest obstacles to protecting digital assets. We need to invest in education and training programs that empower the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. Just as we train engineers for mining and oil extraction, we must build a strong pipeline of digital security experts.
Just as there are regulations around mining and resource extraction, there should be strict governance around data usage, sharing, and storage. African governments need to adopt comprehensive data protection laws and ensure that organisations – both local and international – comply with them. This will prevent exploitation and ensure that data remains a valuable asset for the continent’s future growth.
Cyber threats do not respect borders. Regional cooperation is critical to protecting digital assets. Africa must work together to create shared cybersecurity frameworks and intelligence-sharing initiatives to defend against global cyberthreats. The lessons from cross-border resource disputes show the importance of regional cooperation for mutual benefit.
The private sector plays a crucial role in safeguarding digital assets. Just as corporations extract and manage natural resources, tech companies, financial institutions, and telecoms need to collaborate with governments to create secure digital ecosystems. Public-private partnerships can help pool resources and expertise to build more resilient cybersecurity defences.
Why this matters for Africa’s future
If Africa fails to protect its digital assets, it risks repeating the mistakes of the past. Just as uncontrolled exploitation of natural resources limited the continent’s ability to benefit from its wealth, poor cybersecurity practices could limit Africa’s ability to harness the full potential of its digital economy. The global economy is increasingly data-driven, and those who can control and protect their digital assets will lead the future.
This is a defining moment for Africa. The continent’s digital future holds immense promise, but only if we learn from the past and take the necessary steps to safeguard our digital wealth
