By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
In a bid to combat cybercrime and sustain cybersecurity in the sub region, the ECOWAS Commission organized a One Week capacity strengthening training programme for law enforcement personnels from Cabo Verde, The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone.
The training Workshop tagged E- Evidence and Training the Trainers First Responders on Cyber security held in Praise, Cabo Verde from 25- 29 July, 2022.
The Workshop was organized on the platform of the West African Response on Cyber security fight against Cybercrime OCWAR- C, project in collaboration with the Council of Europe and Interpol.
The OCWAR-C project funded by the European Union is aimed at improving resilience and robustness of information infrastructure in Member States; increase capacities of relevant stakeholders of Member States in charge of the fight against cybercrime.
Principal Program Officer Internet, Cybersecurity, and E-applications at the ECOWAS Commission, Ms Folake Olagunju who represented Mr. Sediko Douka, Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy and Digitalisation,at the opening of the Workshop emphasized the importance of having a coordinated and collaborative approach towards securing ECOWAS cyber space.
Olagunju urged participants to share their national perspectives and experiences as an opportunity to build bridges and lay the foundation for cooperation with regards to future partnerships.
She noted that the training be interactive, as she emphazied the need to build human capacities in a harmonized manner across the region.
Also the European Union deputy head of delegation to Cabo Verde, Mr Ignacio Sobrino Castello re- emphasized that the objectives of the OCWAR-C project is to support the strengthening of the cyberspace of the beneficiary countries and build capacities in the fight against Cybercrime.
Castello disclosed that in Cabo Verde the EU has contributed in the development of cybersecurity, combatting cybercrime and Digital Economy in general.
Futhermore he stressed the need for enhanced cooperation between ECOWAS Member States and the ECOWAS commission and international partners.
The Secretary of State for Digital Economy of Cabo Verde, Mr Joel Almeida, Advisor to the secretary welcomed all participants to Cabo Verde and reaffirmed Cabo Verde’s commitment to playing its part in the region’s cyber ecosystem.
He indicated that the Cabo Verde’s national cybersecurity strategy contains concrete implementation actions that are in line with the ECOWAS Regional Cyber strategy adopted in 2021.
He also stated that the national cybersecurity centre and CSIRT-CV are underway.
He commended the organisation of the forthcoming first ECOWAS Regional Hackerlab Challenge scheduled to hold from 10 – 12 October 2022 as a great opportunity to bring the community together to spark interest in the ongoing challenges of keeping the region cybersecure and as a means of finding young talent who are ready to be next generation of skilful cybersecurity workforce.
