Accra: Air Vice Marshal David Anetey Akrong, Commandant of the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), has called for collaborations among African countries to develop effective Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity governance frameworks. That, he said, would help to address emerging digital threats and safeguard peace and security on the continent.
According to Ghana Web, Air Vice Marshal Akrong emphasized that while AI and digital technologies are creating opportunities for governance, economic growth, and public service delivery, they also expose African countries to sophisticated cyber threats that require coordinated continental responses. He made the call at the launch of a project titled ‘Towards Collaborative Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity Governance in Africa,’ implemented by KAIPTC in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and supported by the Government of Japan.
Speaking at the launch in Accra, the Commandant stated that the global security and governance landscape is being reshaped by technological advancements, making AI, data-driven systems, and cyber technologies central to governance, security discourse, conflict management, economic development, and public service delivery across Africa. Governments and security institutions are increasingly deploying AI-enabled systems for various functions such as border management and intelligence gathering, while cyberspace has become a critical domain for national security and political engagement.
Africa is experiencing a rapid expansion in the use of AI and digital technologies across governance, security, and socio-economic sectors. However, the continent is also confronting evolving security threats, including cybercrime, ransomware attacks, misinformation campaigns, and cross-border cyber threats, all posing significant risks to peace and stability. Terrorist and extremist groups are leveraging digital technologies for their operations, while many African countries face gaps in AI and cybersecurity governance frameworks.
Air Vice Marshal Akrong highlighted that these vulnerabilities have, in some cases, heightened regional tensions and undermined trust among states, particularly where advanced technologies are deployed without adequate governance safeguards. He noted the transnational nature of these threats and the urgent need for coordinated regional and continental responses.
The Commandant explained that the project aims to strengthen coordination, institutional capacity, and policy coherence on AI and cybersecurity governance among African Union Peace and Security Council Member States. It will promote a shared understanding of emerging risks, enhance cross-border collaboration, and support the development of responsible governance frameworks for AI and cybersecurity.
Mitori Naoki, Charg© d’Affaires of the Embassy of Japan in Ghana, reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to supporting technology governance initiatives across Africa. He emphasized Japan’s philosophy that technology should serve people and contribute to improving lives, aligning with the concept of human security promoted globally alongside UNDP.
Naoki noted Japan’s advocacy for ‘Data Free Flow with Trust,’ recognizing that innovation thrives when data flow is accompanied by trust and respect for privacy. He also highlighted Japan’s leadership in shaping international discussions on emerging technologies through the Hiroshima AI Process launched by the G7 in 2023.
The one-year project, running from March 2026 to March 2027, will involve stakeholders from the 15 member states of the African Union Peace and Security Council. It aims to enhance the ability of state and non-state actors to promote responsible AI and cybersecurity governance while strengthening collaboration among stakeholders.
The launch also saw the inauguration of the project’s Steering Committee, which will provide strategic guidance and oversight for its implementation.