(Ecofin Agency) - The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has recognized seven African countries as cybersecurity role models. These countries have implemented national strategies, passed laws and regulations, and created regulatory bodies to secure their cyberspace.

The ITU's Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) awarded Tier 1 status to Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Rwanda, Tanzania, Egypt, and Morocco in September 2024, with scores ranging from 95 to 100. This index evaluates each country’s commitment to cybersecurity.

The GCI evaluates five key areas: laws and regulations on cybercrime and cybersecurity, technical capabilities of national agencies, public awareness campaigns and training, partnerships between government and private sectors, and national cybersecurity strategies.

The 2024 edition placed 46 countries in Tier 1, the highest level. The ITU notes that if this tier system had been used in the previous GCI edition, only 30 countries would have reached Tier 1. The progress was mainly driven by countries in Europe, Asia, the Pacific, Arab states, and Africa, which have all improved significantly in the five pillars of the GCI.

Four African countries Benin, Togo, South Africa, and Zambia ranked in Tier 2 with scores between 85 and 95. Meanwhile, 18 countries landed in Tier 3, 21 in Tier 4, and four countries Burundi, the Central African Republic, Eritrea, and Guinea-Bissau—were placed in Tier 5. In total, 31 out of Africa’s 54 countries scored at least 55 out of 100, placing them in Tier 3 or higher.

Cybersecurity has become a critical issue in Africa due to the rapid pace of digital transformation. This shift has led to a rise in cyberattacks, resulting in an estimated loss of $10 billion for the continent in 2023, according to a report by Serianu, a Kenyan cybersecurity firm.

As Africa's digital market is expected to reach $712 billion by 2050, the ITU and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) emphasize that governments have a dual responsibility: to protect themselves and to create the necessary frameworks to safeguard organizations, individuals, and public infrastructure.