ACDT champions civil society’s role in cybersecurity at GISEC Global 2025

In a bold move underscoring Africa’s growing prominence in global cybersecurity dialogues, the Africa Center for Digital Transformation (ACDT) has joined the African Pavilion at the Gulf Information Security Expo and Conference (GISEC) in Dubai, the Middle East’s largest and most influential cybersecurity event.

This landmark participation is made possible through a strategic collaboration with Daakyi LLC, ACDT’s trusted cybersecurity partner and a dynamic force in Africa’s private-sector digital security space.

Held from May 6 to May 8, 2025, GISEC Global brought together top-tier global cybersecurity experts, government officials, tech innovators and private-sector actors. This year’s inclusion of a dedicated African Pavilion signals a pivotal moment for the continent, placing African innovation and perspectives at the heart of global cybersecurity discussions.

ACDT’s participation, alongside Daakyi LLC, is a testament to the evolving role of civil society organizations (CSOs) in the cybersecurity ecosystem.

The traditional narratives around cybersecurity have largely focused on government-led regulations and private-sector technology solutions. ACDT’s presence in Dubai asserts a critical argument: civil society holds the key to shifting the paradigm from mere protection to proactive transformation in how cybersecurity solutions are conceived, localized, and sustained across African contexts.

“Our presence at GISEC is not just symbolic, it is a strategic statement,” said Kwesi Atuahene, Executive Director of the Africa Center for Digital Transformation.

“It reaffirms that Africa has intellectual capital, solution-oriented actors and unique use-cases that can inform global cybersecurity thinking. And it challenges stakeholders to rethink the role of civil society not as passive observers but as co-creators of resilient digital ecosystems.”

Civil Society: The Missing Link in Cybersecurity Innovation

Across Africa, the threat landscape is expanding rapidly. From ransomware attacks on government institutions to phishing schemes targeting mobile money users, cybersecurity challenges are no longer limited to technical domains they are now public interest issues.

Yet, civil society organizations, particularly those like ACDT that specialize in policy, research, advocacy and capacity building, have often been under-resourced in this space.

ACDT’s participation at GISEC through Daakyi LLC demonstrates how targeted investment in CSOs can yield impactful dividends.

“Cybersecurity is not only about firewalls and encryption, but also about trust, awareness, and inclusion,” said Nana Kwesi Nti, CEO of Daakyi LLC. “Partnering with ACDT allows us to bridge the gap between technical innovation and community engagement. Together, we bring a 360-degree approach to cybersecurity that addresses infrastructure, people, and policy.”

The Power of Partnership: ACDT x Daakyi LLC

The collaboration between ACDT and Daakyi LLC represents a forward-thinking model where private-sector expertise meets civil society insight. Daakyi’s technological strength in digital infrastructure security, combined with ACDT’s policy and governance acumen, offers an integrated response to Africa’s cybersecurity needs.

At GISEC, this partnership is on full display, showcasing not only technical demonstrations but also policy briefs, case studies, and thought leadership sessions centred around building inclusive, African-led cybersecurity solutions.

Their joint exhibition emphasizes:

• Community-Centric Cybersecurity Education
• Policy Advocacy for Data Protection and Privacy
• Cyber Capacity Building for Youth and Civil Servants
• African Sovereignty in Digital Infrastructure
• Public-Private-Civic Partnerships for Digital Resilience

Shifting the Centre of Gravity in Cybersecurity

ACDT’s engagement at GISEC underscores a growing realization: for Africa to achieve true digital sovereignty and resilience, cybersecurity solutions must be co-designed with the very communities they aim to protect. CSOs can amplify grassroots concerns, foster trust in digital systems and ensure that innovations reflect diverse socio-cultural realities.

As African governments and private-sector actors scale their cybersecurity investments, the ACDT-Daakyi partnership serves as a model for inclusive innovation one that positions civil society not on the periphery, but at the heart of cybersecurity strategy.

“We must move from the securitization to the democratization of cybersecurity,” said Kwesi Atuahene, ACDT’s Executive Director. “This means investing in civil society not as a luxury but as a necessity. GISEC is where this message can resonate on a global stage.”

As GISEC continues to draw international attention, ACDT’s participation signals Africa’s readiness not just to consume cybersecurity solutions but to shape them. With Daakyi LLC as a trusted partner and with the African Pavilion offering a continental platform, ACDT is charting a path where civil society is not an afterthought but a driving force in Africa’s digital transformation.

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