Smart Africa and UNIDIR sign MoU to promote cybersecurity and emerging technology policy in Africa
Date: 2026-05-06
By: Nana Appiah Acquaye
Smart
Africa has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the United Nations
Institute for Disarmament Research to strengthen collaboration on cybersecurity
and emerging technology policy across the continent.
The
agreement was formalised on the sidelines of Geneva Cyber Week 2026 during a
bilateral meeting between Smart Africa CEO Lacina Koné and UNIDIR Director
Robin Geiß.
The
partnership is expected to focus on building the capacity of policymakers,
diplomats, and technical experts to actively shape and implement international
cyber norms. It will also support African countries in developing and
operationalising forward-looking policies related to cybersecurity, emerging
technologies, and research and development.
Officials
indicated that the collaboration aims to strengthen Africa’s role in global
digital governance discussions while equipping institutions with the expertise
required to address evolving cyber threats and technological challenges.
The
agreement marks a step toward deeper institutional cooperation, with both
organisations committing to advancing policy frameworks and capacity-building
initiatives that enhance digital resilience and innovation across African
countries.
