Experts call for African-led security solutions, digital innovation
KIGALI, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Security and governance experts, speaking at a high-level panel session during the International Security Conference on Africa (ISCA) in the Rwandan capital, Kigali, on Tuesday, called for homegrown solutions to tackle the continent's pressing security challenges and leverage digital transformation for economic growth.
Held under the theme "Reshaping Africa's Landscape in a Dynamic, Complex Global Environment," the two-day forum brought together over 1,000 security professionals, policymakers, researchers, and international partners from across Africa and beyond to deliberate on terrorism, cyber threats, political instability, and transnational crime.
Kingsley Chiedu Moghalu, president of the Africa School of Governance, an institution in public policy and leadership education, said, "Africa's economic future depends on our ability to move up the value chain. This is critical not just for trade, but for balancing power in the global marketplace."
Noordin Haji, director general of Kenya's National Intelligence Service, underscored the gap between intelligence collection and legal prosecution.
"We have long struggled to convert intelligence into admissible evidence. Intelligence must support law enforcement and judicial systems effectively," he said.
Haji also warned against blindly adopting foreign-developed AI systems. "Whatever is created out there is not necessarily for our convenience. Africa must shape its own AI policies that reflect our realities and preserve our cultural values."
Rwandan Minister of Information and Communications Technology and Innovation Paula Ingabire emphasized the country's commitment to digital security. "As we push for interoperable digital systems, we are also implementing a zero-trust framework. No device or system is automatically trusted," she said.
Ingabire said that Rwanda is a signatory to the Malabo Convention, reinforcing its dedication to international cooperation on cybersecurity.
The conference marked the official launch of ISCA as a pan-African platform for security dialogue, policy coordination, and innovative solutions tailored to Africa's unique context.
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