The year 2025 has been an eventful year for the ECOWAS region as we continue strengthening the resilience of our cybersecurity ecosystem. The active engagement, commitment, and collaboration of national experts across Member States together with valuable partnerships have allowed the year to end on a high, with meaningful progress toward a safer and more coordinated digital space for West Africa.
The year began with the continued establishment of the ECOWAS Information Sharing and Analysis Centre (ISAC), a regional mechanism designed to improve information exchange and situational awareness. Building on this progress, we completed the feasibility study for a Regional Cybersecurity Coordination Centre, an initiative that, if implemented, will give the region a central point for coordinated action, and mutual assistance. It represents our commitment that no Member State stands alone in the face of cyber threats.
We also addressed a long-standing need by updating the 2011 Directive on Fighting Cybercrime. The revised Directive is more robust, adaptive, and operationally relevant, equipping Member States with a
stronger framework to prevent, investigate, and prosecute cybercrime in an increasingly complex digital environment.
This year’s story also includes a pioneering step in cyber diplomacy. Through the Training of Trainers (ToT) Programme on Cybersecurity and Cyber Diplomacy, ECOWAS became the first Regional Economic Community in Africa to embed cyber diplomacy training within foreign service education, an achievement that strengthens the region’s diplomatic capacity.
We continued building trust and preparedness by implementing the Cyber Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) and conducting a regional communications check, practical steps that reinforce our ability to coordinate swiftly and transparently. Looking ahead, work is underway on a regional cyber portal that will serve as a shared space for resources and collaboration.
Taken together, these milestones are more than a list, they remind us that cooperation and resilience are central to the region’s progress. They reflect the dedication of national experts, colleagues and partners who are deeply invested in this work and committed to playing their part.
As we sign off on 2025 and look toward 2026, we have an opportunity to deepen our impact, accelerate ongoing efforts, and continue strengthening the region’s digital ecosystem. Thank you all for the dedication, partnership, and unending support. I wish you and your loved ones a peaceful and joyful festive season and a fulfilling year ahead.
Happy holidays!
All good wishes
Folake
