Cybersecurity: ECOWAS, EU, Germany battle cyberthreats for sustainable development in Nigeria, others

*The German Embassy in Nigeria affirms the Joint Platform for Advancing Cybersecurity is essential to safeguard sustainable development, and foster regional cyber resilience in regard to the growing complexity in cyberthreats across rapidly digitising economies in West Africa

Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect

Determined to combat the reported growing cyberthreats in the digital space in Nigeria, and other West African countries, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the German Federal Foreign Office and the European Union (EU) have organises a high-level briefing and workshop on Cyber Diplomacy for the ECOWAS Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC), in Abuja, FCT.

The German Embassy, in a recent statement on the event, said: “On 20 May 2025, the ECOWAS Commission in partnership with the German Federal Foreign Office and the European Union, under the Joint Platform for Advancing Cyber Security, hosted a High-Level Briefing and Workshop on Cyber Diplomacy for the ECOWAS Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC) in Abuja, Nigeria.”

Photo: ECOWAS Development Partners Cordination Cell (EDPCC) 

The statement noted: “As cyberthreats grow in complexity and scale, particularly in a rapidly digitalising West Africa, strengthening cybersecurity and international cooperation has become imperative to safeguard sustainable development and foster regional cyber resilience.

“Against this backdrop, the workshop aimed to enhance awareness of cybersecurity as a strategic foreign policy issue and foster regional dialogue on cyber diplomacy.”

ConsumerConnect reports the Economic Community of West African States and the European Union, over the years, have maintained a strong partnership focused on regional integration, peace and security, and economic development.

This collaboration encompasses several areas, including trade, development cooperation, and the fight against terrorism and migration.

The EU is regarded as “a key external partner for ECOWAS, providing funding and support for regional projects and initiatives,” a report noted.

The German Embassy further stated: “The event forms part of the ECOWAS-Germany-EU initiative on advancing cybersecurity.

“It seeks to implement the ECOWAS Cybersecurity Action Plan developed jointly under Germany’s G7 Presidency with a focus on building cyber diplomacy skills, advancing confidence-building measures (CBMs), and strengthening critical infrastructure across the region.”

Diplomacy key to defend shared values, cooperation in cyberspace: German Ambassador

The statement disclosed Annett Günther, German Ambassador to Nigeria,  opened the event on behalf of the German Embassy, in Abuja.

Speaking on the occasion, Günther emphasised that “in an era where cyberthreats know no borders, diplomacy is key to defend our shared values of security, trust, and cooperation in cyberspace.

“Cyber-diplomacy promotes cross-border cooperation and represents a crucial stride towards fostering a more secure and interconnected cyberspace – globally, and particularly here in West Africa.”

Likewise, Mr. Sédiko Douka, ECOWAS Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy and Digitalisation, and Amb. Musa Nuhu, Chair of the ECOWAS PRC, in their presentations, underlined the strategic value of digital resilience and multilateral engagement.

The workshop marked another milestone in the ongoing implementation of the ECOWAS Cybersecurity Agenda, and reaffirmed the commitment of all partners to strengthening regional security, trust, and sustainable digital transformation across the West African subregion.

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