ECOWAS Hosts High-Level Cyber Diplomacy Briefing to Strengthen Regional Digital Resilience
Date: 21 May 2025
Cyber Diplomacy Takes Center Stage in West Africa
Once considered a peripheral issue, cyber diplomacy has emerged as a critical component of global security discussions. In West Africa, where digital infrastructure is rapidly expanding and cross-border threats are increasing, regional leaders are taking proactive steps to shape the future governance of cyberspace.
High-Level Gathering in Abuja
The ECOWAS Commission, in collaboration with the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS and the German Federal Foreign Office, organized a significant High-Level Briefing on Cyber Diplomacy for the ECOWAS Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC) on 20 May 2025 in Abuja, Nigeria. The event brought together ambassadors, senior diplomats, and technical experts to explore strategies for unified regional action in the digital domain.
Key Statements from Leadership
ECOWAS Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy and Digitalisation, H.E. Mr. Sédiko Douka, emphasized the critical nature of cyber diplomacy: “Cyber diplomacy is no longer optional. It is essential for defending our digital sovereignty and shaping global cyberspace governance.”
Mr. Massimo De Luca, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation, highlighted the broader implications: “Our cybersecurity cooperation protects not just infrastructure but citizens, businesses, and democratic institutions.”
Regional and International Perspectives
German Ambassador H.E. Annett Günther noted: “The future of diplomacy is digital, and ECOWAS is setting an example for regional cooperation in cyberspace.”
Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to ECOWAS, H.E. Ambassador Musa Sani Nuhu, stressed the importance of active participation: “Africa must help write the rules of digital governance, not just observe them.”
Technical Insights and Strategic Directions
The briefing featured expert presentations on:
- Multilateral cyber diplomacy frameworks
- Implementation of the ECOWAS Cybersecurity Directive
- Regional confidence-building measures
- Legal reforms and inter-agency collaboration
A Unified Vision for Digital Governance
The session concluded with consensus on the strategic importance of cyber diplomacy for regional development and security. ECOWAS reaffirmed its commitment to shaping global digital governance through coordinated action with international partners.
This event forms part of ECOWAS’s broader initiative to integrate digital governance with regional security and multilateral diplomacy frameworks.