Cybercrime threatening AU 2063 agenda, say stakeholders

Parliamentarians and stakeholders from the just concluded African Internet Governance Forum in Abuja have expressed concerns over the issue of cybercrime in Africa.

In a communiqué released on Thursday, it was disclosed that cybercrime is a potential threat to implementing the African Union Agenda 2063.

The stakeholders called for sufficient investments and synergy among African countries to tackle cybercrime activities.

The communique read in part, “Cybercrime remains a potential threat to the implementation of AU 2063 agenda and AU’s digital transformation strategy.

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“African Union and African Government to ensure adequate investment to fight cybercrime activities, ensure international cooperation, and capacity building for lawmakers and enforcement actors, the Judiciary and other necessary actors.”

The AU Agenda 2063 is a blueprint for transforming Africa into the global powerhouse of the future through inclusive and sustainable development.

The communique added that “African states should ensure enforcement of cyber laws, incorporate a people-centric approach, and checks and balances.”

In his speech, Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, said that Africa, through the lens of the Internet Governance forum, needed to focus on shared norms, rules, and decision-making procedures that impact the evolution and utilisation of the internet.

He added that the forum was a unique platform for the exchange of ideas, and collaboration that will contribute to the internet we want and a means to empower all Africans.

Also speaking, a member of the Ghanaian parliament and the Secretary-General of the African parliamentary network on Internet governance, Samuel George, said national governments needed to start looking at power as a critical part of bridging the digital divide in underserved and unserved areas.

On his part, the Chairman, Senate Committee on ICT and Cybersecurity, Shuiab Salisu, said that the National Assembly would give legislative support to ensure Nigeria harnesses the potentials in emerging technologies by creating enabling laws.