Accra, Ghana – 17 June 2026: The Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and with support from the Government of Japan, has launched a new initiative aimed at strengthening Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity governance across African Union (AU) Member States, particularly within the African Union Peace and Security Council (PSC).

The twelve-month project, titled “Towards Collaborative Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Cybersecurity Governance in Africa,” will engage stakeholders from the 15 members of the AU Security and Peace Council. It will seek to enhance institutional capacity, policy coordination, and regional collaboration through research, dialogue and capacity development, focused on AI and cybersecurity governance to address the growing security implications of emerging digital technologies across the continent.

Africa’s digital transformation continues to accelerate across governance, security, and socio-economic sectors. While AI and cybersecurity technologies are driving innovation and efficiency, they are also introducing new and evolving risks, including cybercrime, misinformation, ransomware attacks, digital espionage, and the misuse of AI-enabled systems by both state and non-state actors. These developments have exposed significant gaps in regulatory frameworks, institutional readiness, and cross-border coordination mechanisms among AU Member States.

The project will respond to these challenges through targeted research, policy dialogue, and capacity development interventions designed to promote responsible, coordinated, and context-sensitive governance of AI and cybersecurity. It will also foster stronger collaboration among African institutions and international partners to enhance regional preparedness and resilience against emerging digital threats.

In his opening remarks at the launch, the Commandant of KAIPTC, Air Vice Marshal David Anetey Akrong, underscored the growing security implications of cyberspace and the urgency of strengthening institutional preparedness across Africa.

“Cyberspace has become a critical domain for Africa’s peace and security, yet it is increasingly exposed to cybercrime, misinformation, and the misuse of emerging technologies. These developments, compounded by weak and unharmonized governance frameworks, have the potential to heighten regional tensions and erode trust among states. This initiative is therefore a timely step towards strengthening institutional readiness and enhancing coordinated responses among state actors.”