CyberM8 Initiative NPC is pleased to announce the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) as the Official Co-Host of the Africa Cybersecurity Indaba 2026, taking place from 27 to 29 October 2026 in Sandton, Johannesburg.

The partnership strengthens the Indaba’s position as a strategic platform for advancing cybersecurity policy, digital trust, cyber resilience, skills development and collaboration across the African continent.

The main conference, taking place on 28 and 29 October 2026, will bring together government leaders, regulators, law enforcement agencies, cybersecurity professionals, technology companies, academia, researchers, development partners and emerging cyber talent from across Africa.

From a South African Platform to a Continental Conversation

The partnership with DCDT comes as the Indaba expands its focus from South Africa towards building a stronger continental cybersecurity dialogue.

Under the theme:

“Securing Africa’s Digital Future: Innovation, Trust & Resilience”

the 2026 Indaba will address some of the most pressing questions facing Africa’s rapidly expanding digital economy.

Discussions will explore national cybersecurity strategies, cybersecurity policy and regulatory frameworks, digital sovereignty, regulation of Cybersecurity Service Providers (CSSPs), artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, cybercrime, critical infrastructure protection, financial cybersecurity, aviation cybersecurity, digital trust, skills development and emerging technologies.

A key objective will be to strengthen coordination between African countries and encourage greater collaboration between government, industry, academia, regulators, law enforcement and civil society.

Strengthening Africa’s Cyber Resilience

As governments accelerate digital transformation and more essential services move online, cybersecurity has become fundamental to Africa’s economic development, national security and public confidence.

The DCDT’s participation as Official Co-Host creates an important bridge between public policy and practical implementation, while strengthening opportunities for government and industry to collectively address emerging cyber risks.

The Indaba will also create space for frank conversations about Africa’s digital sovereignty, including the continent’s dependence on foreign digital infrastructure and technologies, data governance, cloud security, local cybersecurity capability and Africa’s role in shaping its own digital future.

Beyond Conversation

The Africa Cybersecurity Indaba is designed to go beyond conference discussions.

Through keynote addresses, strategic tracks, executive roundtables, research presentations, the HackSecure Innovation Challenge, exhibitions and networking engagements, the platform will encourage practical partnerships and initiatives that can contribute towards strengthening cybersecurity capabilities across the continent.

The partnership between CyberM8 and DCDT represents a shared commitment to building a secure, trusted, inclusive and resilient African digital ecosystem.

Africa’s cybersecurity challenges cross borders. Our response must do the same.

The Africa Cybersecurity Indaba 2026 takes place from 27 to 29 October 2026, with the main conference on 28 and 29 October, in Sandton, Johannesburg.

The Africa Cybersecurity Indaba 2026 is pleased to announce TechCentral as our Official Technology Media Partner, reinforcing our shared commitment to advancing conversations on cybersecurity, digital trust, innovation, and Africa’s digital future.

Hosted by CyberM8 in partnership with the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT), the Africa Cybersecurity Indaba has become Africa’s premier platform for bringing together government leaders, policymakers, technology companies, academia, cybersecurity professionals, innovators, and development partners to address the continent’s most pressing digital challenges and opportunities.

As one of South Africa’s leading technology news publications, TechCentral has built a strong reputation for delivering credible, insightful, and independent reporting on technology, telecommunications, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, digital policy, and innovation. Through this partnership, TechCentral will play an important role in amplifying key discussions, showcasing thought leadership, and highlighting the people, organisations, and innovations shaping Africa’s cybersecurity landscape.

The partnership will provide extensive media coverage before, during, and after the conference, helping to extend the reach and impact of the Africa Cybersecurity Indaba to technology leaders, decision-makers, businesses, and digital communities across South Africa and the continent.

“We are delighted to welcome TechCentral as our Official Technology Media Partner,” said Thabang Phala, Chief Empowerment Officer (CEO) of CyberM8 Initiative NPC. “Their trusted voice within the technology sector will help us amplify critical conversations around cybersecurity, digital trust, artificial intelligence, and innovation while showcasing Africa’s growing leadership in building a secure and resilient digital future.”

The Africa Cybersecurity Indaba 2026 will take place from 27 to 29 October 2026 at The Galleria Conference and Expo Centre, Sandton. The programme will feature the HackSecure Innovation Challenge, NextGen Skills Bootcamp, Cybersecurity Research & Innovation Symposium, Executive Roundtables, Exhibition & Innovation Showcase, and the South African Cybersecurity Awards.

We look forward to working with TechCentral to deliver meaningful coverage and inspire greater collaboration in strengthening Africa’s cybersecurity ecosystem. Together, we are creating a platform that informs, connects, and empowers the leaders shaping Africa’s secure digital future.

The Africa Cybersecurity Indaba 2026 is proud to announce Ubuntu Radio as the Official Radio Media Partner, strengthening our commitment to making cybersecurity conversations accessible to communities across South Africa and the African continent.

Hosted by CyberM8 in partnership with the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT), the Africa Cybersecurity Indaba is Africa’s premier platform for cybersecurity, digital trust, innovation, and cyber resilience. The conference brings together government leaders, policymakers, industry experts, academia, innovators, law enforcement agencies, and development partners to shape a safer and more resilient digital future for Africa.

As our Official Radio Media Partner, Ubuntu Radio will play a key role in amplifying the conversations taking place before, during, and after the conference. Through interviews, event coverage, live broadcasts, and digital content, the partnership will extend the reach of the Indaba to audiences beyond the conference venue, ensuring that critical discussions on cybersecurity awareness, digital skills, artificial intelligence, online safety, and digital transformation reach communities across the country.

“We are delighted to welcome Ubuntu Radio to the Africa Cybersecurity Indaba family,” said Thabang Phala, Chief Empowerment Officer (CEO) of CyberM8 Initiative NPC. “Media plays a vital role in educating and empowering society, and Ubuntu Radio’s commitment to informative and community-focused broadcasting makes them an ideal partner in advancing cybersecurity awareness and digital inclusion.”

Ubuntu Radio will also host interviews with keynote speakers, government leaders, industry experts, innovators, and conference delegates, providing audiences with exclusive insights into the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping Africa’s cybersecurity landscape.

The Africa Cybersecurity Indaba 2026 will take place from 27 to 29 October 2026 at The Galleria Conference and Expo Centre, Sandton. The programme includes the HackSecure Innovation Challenge, NextGen Skills Bootcamp, Cybersecurity Research & Innovation Symposium, Executive Roundtables, Exhibition & Innovation Showcase, and the South African Cybersecurity Awards.

We are honoured to partner with Ubuntu Radio as we continue building a platform that informs, inspires, and connects Africa’s cybersecurity community. Together, we look forward to driving meaningful conversations that strengthen cyber resilience and help secure Africa’s digital future.

CyberM8, in partnership with the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT), is pleased to announce the Cybersecurity Capacity Centre for Southern Africa (C3SA) as the official Academic and Research Partner of the Cybersecurity Research & Innovation Symposium at the Africa Cybersecurity Indaba 2026.

Taking place as part of the Africa Cybersecurity Indaba, the Cybersecurity Research & Innovation Symposium will provide a platform for researchers, academics, postgraduate students, innovators, and industry experts to present cutting-edge research, emerging technologies, and innovative solutions that contribute to strengthening Africa’s cybersecurity ecosystem.

As the Academic and Research Partner, C3SA will play a leading role in advancing research collaboration, academic engagement, and knowledge exchange throughout the Symposium. The partnership will help strengthen the connection between academia, government, industry, and development partners, ensuring that research and innovation remain central to Africa’s cybersecurity and digital resilience agenda.

The Symposium will feature academic abstract presentations, applied research, postgraduate research, innovation showcases, and discussions on emerging cybersecurity challenges and opportunities. It will also create opportunities for collaboration between universities, research institutions, government departments, technology companies, and policymakers from across the continent.

Speaking on the partnership, Thabang Phala, Chief Empowerment Officer of CyberM8 Initiative NPC, said:

“Research and innovation are fundamental to building a resilient digital future for Africa. We are delighted to welcome C3SA as our Academic and Research Partner. Their expertise and leadership will strengthen the quality of research discussions while creating opportunities for collaboration that will benefit researchers, students, innovators, and the broader cybersecurity community.”

CyberM8 looks forward to working closely with C3SA to advance cybersecurity research, promote innovation, and strengthen Africa’s cybersecurity knowledge ecosystem.

CyberM8 Initiative NPC is pleased to announce a developing strategic collaboration with the University of Johannesburg’s School of Consumer Intelligence and Information Systems (UJ SCiiS) towards the Africa Cybersecurity Indaba 2026.

The engagement forms part of CyberM8’s ongoing efforts to strengthen partnerships with academic institutions, researchers, innovators, and technology leaders across Africa in building a more secure, resilient, and innovation-driven digital ecosystem.

Following a recent partnership engagement between the two organisations, both parties expressed strong interest in exploring practical collaboration opportunities aligned with cybersecurity skills development, innovation, research, and youth participation.

Among the proposed areas of collaboration is engagement with the UJ Technopreneurship Centre in support of the HackSecure Innovation Challenge, a cybersecurity hackathon and innovation platform aimed at empowering young innovators, developers, and emerging cybersecurity professionals to develop practical solutions addressing Africa’s growing digital security challenges.

The discussions also explored possible participation of UJ students in the HackSecure Innovation Challenge, creating opportunities for students to gain exposure to industry leaders, innovation ecosystems, cybersecurity problem-solving, and collaborative digital transformation initiatives.

In addition, both organisations are continuing discussions around exhibition opportunities for UJ SCiiS during the Africa Cybersecurity Indaba 2026, further strengthening the institution’s visibility within continental conversations relating to cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, digital governance, innovation, and future digital skills.

Speaking on the collaboration, Thabang Phala, Founder and Chief Empowerment Officer of CyberM8 Initiative NPC, welcomed the engagement with UJ SCiiS and highlighted the importance of academic partnerships in shaping Africa’s digital future.

“Universities and research institutions have a critical role to play in strengthening Africa’s cybersecurity ecosystem through research, innovation, skills development, and future-focused collaboration. We are encouraged by the positive engagement with UJ SCiiS and look forward to building impactful initiatives together,” said Phala.

The Africa Cybersecurity Indaba 2026 will bring together governments, regulators, academia, law enforcement agencies, telecommunications operators, technology companies, development partners, and young innovators from across the continent to engage on cybersecurity, AI, digital resilience, digital sovereignty, and Africa’s digital future.

The event continues to position itself as a leading continental platform driving collaboration, implementation-focused dialogue, innovation, and strategic partnerships across Africa’s evolving digital ecosystem.

The Africa Cybersecurity Indaba is proud to announce the return of Absa as a Silver Sponsor and strategic partner for the 2026 edition of Africa’s leading cybersecurity platform.

Absa’s renewed commitment to the Africa Cybersecurity Indaba reflects a shared vision of building a more secure, resilient, and inclusive digital ecosystem across the continent. As one of Africa’s leading financial institutions, Absa understands the critical role cybersecurity plays in protecting economies, businesses, governments, and citizens in an increasingly connected world.

The return of Absa as a Silver Sponsor is a continued investment in the conversations, partnerships, and innovations that are shaping the future of cybersecurity in Africa. At a time when cyber threats are becoming more sophisticated and digital transformation continues to accelerate across every sector, collaboration between industry, government, technology providers, and financial institutions has never been more important.

The Africa Cybersecurity Indaba values long-term partnerships with organisations that are committed to strengthening Africa’s cybersecurity posture and supporting the development of secure digital economies. Absa’s continued involvement demonstrates a commitment to working alongside stakeholders across the public and private sectors to address current challenges while preparing for future opportunities.