Ethiopia is stepping up efforts to protect its expanding digital infrastructure as government officials warn that stronger cybersecurity measures are essential to sustaining the country’s technology-driven economic transformation.
Speaking at an international conference on cybersecurity and artificial intelligence in Addis Ababa, senior government officials outlined a series of initiatives aimed at strengthening the country’s resilience against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. The measures are intended to support Ethiopia’s digital ambitions as more public services, financial systems and businesses migrate online.
Authorities say recent reforms have focused on modernising the country’s legal and regulatory framework to keep pace with technological advances. Updated policies governing data protection, cybercrime, electronic transactions and the security of critical infrastructure are expected to provide stronger safeguards for citizens, businesses and government institutions operating in the digital space.
Officials also highlighted investments in cyber defence capabilities, including the expansion of threat monitoring systems, incident response mechanisms and intelligence-sharing platforms designed to identify and respond to attacks more effectively. These improvements form part of a broader national strategy to build confidence in digital services and encourage greater adoption of online technologies.
The conference also examined the growing influence of artificial intelligence on cybersecurity. While AI is increasingly being deployed to detect malicious activity, improve fraud prevention and strengthen digital security, experts cautioned that cybercriminals are also exploiting the technology to launch more complex and automated attacks.
Representatives from the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa called for closer cooperation among governments, technology firms, academic institutions and international partners, arguing that cyber threats are becoming more interconnected and cannot be tackled by individual countries alone.
As Ethiopia continues investing in broadband connectivity, digital identity systems, fintech services and e-government platforms, policymakers believe cybersecurity will remain central to protecting those investments. They maintain that creating a trusted digital environment is not only critical for national security but also for attracting investment, supporting innovation and accelerating long-term economic growth in an increasingly digital world.