ECOWAS convenes high-level briefing on cyber diplomacy to advance regional resilience and Digital cooperation

Once considered a peripheral concern, cyber diplomacy has now moved to the centre of global security debates. In West Africa—where digital infrastructure is expanding and the stakes of cross-border threats are rising—regional actors are no longer observing from the margins. They are asserting leadership, strategically positioning themselves to shape the protocols, norms, and alliances that will define the governance of cyberspace for decades to come.

In this context, the ECOWAS Commission, in partnership with the Delegation of the European Union to Nigeria and ECOWAS and the German Federal Foreign Office, convened a High-Level Briefing on Cyber Diplomacy for the ECOWAS Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC) on 20 May 2025, in Abuja, Nigeria. The session gathered ambassadors, senior diplomats, international partners, and technical experts to examine how West Africa can speak with one voice and act with strategic coherence in the global digital arena.

Speaking at the occasion, the ECOWAS Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy and Digitalisation, H.E. Mr. Sédiko Douka, delivered a compelling opening statement urging Member States to mainstream cyber diplomacy across their external relations and security frameworks.

“Cyber diplomacy is no longer optional. It is essential. It allows us to defend our digital sovereignty, build trust among Member States, and shape the rules that will govern cyberspace — both in Africa and globally,” he stated.

Building on this strategic vision, Head of Cooperation at the Delegation of the European Union to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Massimo De Luca, reaffirmed the European Union’s support for a secure and inclusive digital ecosystem in West Africa. His remarks linked cybersecurity to democratic protection, economic stability, and long-term development.

“Our cooperation on cybersecurity is not only about technical capacity — it is about protecting citizens, businesses, and the democratic space. ECOWAS is leading by example,” he said.

Adding the voice of a committed bilateral partner, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Nigeria and ECOWAS, H.E. Annett Günther, echoed the importance of regional coherence and praised ECOWAS’ growing role in shaping international digital norms.

“The future of diplomacy is already digital. By reinforcing structures, building knowledge, and speaking with one voice, ECOWAS can set an example of how regional blocs shape responsible behaviour in cyberspace,” she noted.

Representing the views of the Member States, Permanent Representative of Nigeria to ECOWAS and Chair of the PRC, H.E. Ambassador Musa Sani Nuhu, emphasised the importance of political will and collective diplomacy. He reminded delegates that Africa must participate in the spaces where global rules are shaped — not as observers, but as authors.

“We must be present in international discussions that affect our digital future. ECOWAS has the collective voice, the political will, and the legitimacy to act as one. Let’s use it,” he affirmed.

Complementing these high-level perspectives, Cyber Ambassador of the German Federal Foreign Office, H.E. Ambassador Maria Adebahr, contributed substantive reflections on Germany’s international cyber engagement. Her insights reinforced the value of interregional cooperation, diplomatic skill, and policy coherence in navigating the complex digital landscape.

“Cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies must be met with diplomatic skill, policy coherence, and regional unity,” she stated. “ECOWAS has shown it is ready to lead.”

The programme then shifted toward technical knowledge-building, with Ms. Sorina Teleanu of DiploFoundation leading a focused presentation on multilateral frameworks and negotiation entry points. She presented cyber diplomacy as an operational domain, highlighting ECOWAS’ stake in ongoing global processes such as the UN Open-Ended Working Group and the Global Digital Compact.

Contributions from Africa Regional Director of the Global Forum on Cyber Expertise (GFCE), Mr. Moctar Yedaly, and former ICT Secretary of Kenya, Dr. Katherine Getao, added depth to the discussion, spotlighting the urgency of national legal reform, inter-agency collaboration, and readiness to respond to digital risks across the continent.

The exchange of technical perspectives continued with remarks from Dr. Nnenna Ifeanyi-Ajufo, Mr. Abdul-Hakeem Ajijola, and Mr. Vladimir Radunović, who provided legal and strategic guidance on implementing existing regional frameworks. Together, they reinforced the importance of fully operationalising the ECOWAS Directive on Cybersecurity and Critical Information Infrastructure Protection, adopted in December 2023, and investing in confidence-building measures (CBMs) across the region.

As the session concluded, a unified message emerged: cyber diplomacy is not reserved for advanced economies — it is a strategic necessity for regions seeking to safeguard their development, sovereignty and peace. In stepping forward, ECOWAS affirmed its role as a trusted and forward-thinking actor in shaping global digital governance.

This High-Level Briefing forms part of the ECOWAS Commission’s broader mandate to integrate digital governance, regional security and multilateral diplomacy into its integration frameworks. In coordination with the European Union and the Federal Republic of Germany, ECOWAS continues to promote a secure, open and inclusive digital future for all its Member States.