Seychelles Vice President, Ahmed Afif, took part in the Cyber Tech Africa 2023 conference that was held from August 1 and August 2 which discussed heightened measures against cybercrime in Africa

The two-day conference brings together key players from the business, innovation, tech, and cyber ecosystems, including dozens of companies, start-ups, esteemed speakers, renowned universities, senior government officials, C-level executives, industry trailblazers, and prominent decision-makers, to discuss the advancement of innovation in cyber technology and combat cybercrimes.

In his remarks, Afif emphasised the significance of cyber technology and the unprecedented level of connectivity it brings, reflecting on how technology has changed various aspects of life, from financial transactions to education and healthcare, and how these innovations need to be safe for citizens to benefit from.

He acknowledged the potential threats in cyber technology, particularly regarding data security, but highlighted that measures like Data Protection regulations can safeguard individuals' information.

Afif expressed gratitude to Rwanda for hosting the conference and praised the country's remarkable strides in facing challenges and making progress since 1995.

He encouraged the attendees to use the opportunity to network and learn about new technologies.

"We must use this opportunity to give, particularly the young entrepreneurs who want to start, a push and help them so that they can go ahead in the world of technology,” he continued. "We must all be aware of the threats, and make sure that technology continues to benefit our people. So, the government services must be better. The people must feel that they can transact not just with the government, but with each other much better. They must feel secure that their information is private, where it needs to be private.”

Day two of Cyber Tech Africa 2023 was filled with interesting discussions that delved into the opportunities and challenges in an increasingly interconnected world. Some of the topics covered during the event included the impact of fake and real news in the networked society, the crucial role of cybersecurity in protecting critical national infrastructure, and gaining insights into cybersecurity strategies from a national perspective.

Participants also explored global financial planning for cybersecurity, the intersection of cyber technologies and physical infrastructure, and the development of smart and secure cities. The event emphasized the importance of public-private collaboration to enhance cyber robustness and showcased the use of next-generation cyber ranges to develop national cyber capabilities and resilience.

In addition to engaging discussions, Cyber Tech Africa 2023 featured a hackathon and a startup showcase, providing hands-on experience and innovative solutions. Participants also benefited from valuable insights on law enforcement and cyber security, legal and intellectual property aspects of cyber, as well as common cyber-attacks like ransomware, all while promoting cyber awareness.