The ongoing 2025 Cyber Fraud Summit, in Nyanga, has placed a sharp focus on cybersecurity skills development and regional collaboration as African countries confront rising cyber threats.
Held at Montclaire Hotel from 22 to 26 September, the summit has brought together experts from fintech, law enforcement, academia and government to discuss long-term strategies to strengthen the region’s digital resilience.
Dr Whisper Rukanda, a leading cybersecurity strategist and academic, is facilitating the summit. He said the event is structured to go beyond theory, aiming to produce practical outcomes.
“Participants can expect a well-curated programme that merges theory with actionable intelligence,” he said.
With cybercrime costing the global economy trillions annually, and local institutions increasingly falling victim to ransomware, fraud and data breaches, delegates say the urgency to build internal capacity has never been greater.
“Cyber threats are evolving at an alarming pace. From financial fraud and ransomware to identity theft, individuals and institutions alike are being affected,” he said.
A key concern raised during the summit is the shortage of trained cybersecurity professionals in both public and private sectors. Sessions have also focused on cross-border data protection, artificial intelligence tools for fraud detection, and the importance of regulatory harmonisation across the region.
“This summit is not just a talking shop it is a platform for innovation, collaboration and policy alignment,” he said.
The summit has also received high-level political backing. Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services, Dr Tatenda Mavetera, is attending as guest of honour, underscoring the Government’s commitment to cybersecurity as a key pillar of national development.
“The Government is committed to fostering a secure digital ecosystem, especially as the country pushes for widespread digitisation,” she said.
With participation from stakeholders across Africa, the summit has become a regional focal point for knowledge-sharing and partnership-building in the fight against cybercrime. Several panel discussions are scheduled throughout the week, with outcomes expected to inform national and regional policy.
“Safeguarding digital infrastructure is no longer optional it is essential,” said Dr Rukanda.
The summit continues this week with further sessions on AI integration, quantum-era threats and cybersecurity investment strategies.
