Africa Sees 67% Rise in Cyber Incidents during 2022 Alone, Says Rwanda’s ICT Minister
The Honorable Paula Ingabire, Minister of Information and Communications Technology and Innovation, spoke at Cybertech Africa and stressed the importance of working together against threats
Mandi Kogosowski
| 20/08/2023
Photo: Cybertech Africa
While the digital revolution has increased the interconnectedness of societies – it has also brought with it new cybersecurity challenges, threats, data breaches, and IT risks, said Rwanda’s Minister of Information and Communications Technology and Innovation, the Honorable Paula Ingabire.
“In the last two years, reports highlight that cyberattacks globally have increased fourfold, causing substantial losses to our economies. The African continent is not immune. When we look at the 2022 statistics alone, Africa has witnessed a staggering 67% increase in reported cyber incidents compared to the previous years,” Ingabire said.
Speaking at Cybertech Africa held in Kigali earlier this month, Ingabire also noted the surge of online threats targeting children – from cyberbullying to child exploitation to harmful content exposure, and called for a “harmonized and coordinated collaborative approach that is vital to mitigating these risks effectively.”
The minister discussed the proactive measures Rwanda has taken proactive measures to protect its citizens and foster a secure digital environment, such as the enactment of the Personal Data Protection and Privacy Law, “a significant step in empowering individuals with greater control over their personal information.” Rwanda also established a Data Protection Office, which “reinforces its commitment to uphold data privacy rights and ensure compliance with international data protection standards.”
Speaking of the progress many African nations have made with regard to their cyber and cybersecurity ecosystem, Ingabire noted that “It is also crucial for Africa to come together, share experiences, and foster a collaborative approach to cyber governance.” She called to embrace and enhance international cooperation and learn from the experience of other nations, as “cyber criminals know no borders.”
The Honorable Paula Ingabire, Minister of Information and Communications Technology and Innovation, spoke at Cybertech Africa and stressed the importance of working together against threats
Photo: Cybertech Africa
While the digital revolution has increased the interconnectedness of societies – it has also brought with it new cybersecurity challenges, threats, data breaches, and IT risks, said Rwanda’s Minister of Information and Communications Technology and Innovation, the Honorable Paula Ingabire.
“In the last two years, reports highlight that cyberattacks globally have increased fourfold, causing substantial losses to our economies. The African continent is not immune. When we look at the 2022 statistics alone, Africa has witnessed a staggering 67% increase in reported cyber incidents compared to the previous years,” Ingabire said.
Speaking at Cybertech Africa held in Kigali earlier this month, Ingabire also noted the surge of online threats targeting children – from cyberbullying to child exploitation to harmful content exposure, and called for a “harmonized and coordinated collaborative approach that is vital to mitigating these risks effectively.”
The minister discussed the proactive measures Rwanda has taken proactive measures to protect its citizens and foster a secure digital environment, such as the enactment of the Personal Data Protection and Privacy Law, “a significant step in empowering individuals with greater control over their personal information.” Rwanda also established a Data Protection Office, which “reinforces its commitment to uphold data privacy rights and ensure compliance with international data protection standards.”
Speaking of the progress many African nations have made with regard to their cyber and cybersecurity ecosystem, Ingabire noted that “It is also crucial for Africa to come together, share experiences, and foster a collaborative approach to cyber governance.” She called to embrace and enhance international cooperation and learn from the experience of other nations, as “cyber criminals know no borders.”
