Nairobi: The third African Forum on Cybercrime and Electronic Evidence in Nairobi has attracted participants across the continent to enhance cross-border cooperation and build capacity in handling electronic evidence. The forum brings together key stakeholders in the fight against cybercrime, including ministers, judges, prosecutors, law enforcement officers, technology experts, and representatives from civil society and the private sector across Africa and beyond.
According to Kenya News Agency, the forum was jointly organized by the Kenyan government, the Council of Europe, and the European Union, focusing on strengthening Africa’s response to cybercrime, enhancing cross-border cooperation, and building capacity in handling electronic evidence. Principal Secretary for Internal Security and National Administration Dr. Raymond Omollo highlighted Kenya’s leadership in advancing cybersecurity initiatives. He noted that while technology facilitates access to services and drives economic growth, it also exposes
governments, businesses, and citizens to sophisticated cyber threats, with Africa losing over 40 billion US dollars to cybercrime last year alone.
Dr. Omollo emphasized the importance of secure digital identity systems, mutual legal assistance, and youth-focused cybersecurity initiatives in forming the core of continental strategies. He stressed the need for coordinated and rights-respecting responses to cyber threats, pointing out that cyber incidents originating thousands of miles away can destabilize institutions and economies within seconds. Kenya’s e-Citizen platform, offering over 22,000 online services, was highlighted as a model of digital innovation, though not without attracting cyber risks.
Virgil Spiridon, Head of Operations at the Cybercrime Programme Office, Council of Europe, welcomed the forum as an opportunity to strengthen Africa’s legislative and operational capacity against cybercrime. He highlighted the role of the Budapest Convention in setting international legislative standards on cy
bercrime and noted that 13 African countries are full parties to the Convention, with four more in the process of acceding.
Supreme Court Judge and Director General of the Kenya Judiciary Academy, Smokin Wanjala, emphasized the need to equip judicial officers to handle cybercrime and electronic evidence. He highlighted structured programs for judges, prosecutors, and investigators covering cybercrime law, digital forensics, electronic evidence, and counterterrorism, ensuring alignment among justice actors.
Matthias Kloth, Head of Digital Governance and Sport Department of Europe, stressed the importance of coordinated, multi-stakeholder action plans to combat cybercrime. He noted that international instruments, including the Budapest Convention and regional frameworks like the Malabo Convention, are shaping Africa’s digital future while balancing security with human rights protections.
Lamin Jabbi, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy of The Gambia, underscored the economic and social costs of cy
bercrime on the continent, noting that South Africa alone loses about three billion US dollars annually to cybercrime. He outlined Gambia’s initiatives to address these challenges, including establishing a digital forensic laboratory and a national cybersecurity strategy.
Vinsent Perera, Attorney General of Seychelles, warned of the increasingly sophisticated nature of cyber offenses enabled by technological advances. He emphasized the importance of private sector collaboration, continental cooperation, and adaptive legal frameworks to address evolving cyber threats.
The forum showcased Kenya’s commitment to enhancing cyber resilience and highlighted the urgent need for capacity-building, legislation, and technological investment across Africa.
