C3SA Celebrates Key Contribution to the Updated National Cybersecurity Strategy Guide

C3SA has reached a significant milestone in its mission to strengthen cyber resilience across the continent, following its contribution to the updated National Cybersecurity Strategy (NCS) Guide, officially launched on 18 December 2025.

As a centre dedicated to building cybersecurity capacity in Africa, C3SA’s involvement in the development of the NCS marks one of its most impactful achievements to date. The updated guide arrives at a critical moment, as African nations accelerate digital transformation while facing increasingly sophisticated and pervasive cyber threats. By contributing to this international cooperation process, C3SA reinforces the importance of proactive, coordinated, and future-oriented cybersecurity strategies across the continent.

The NCS Guide was developed through a rigorous consultative process involving 37 organisations, with technical and strategic support from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the World Bank. This collaborative approach reflects a strong international consensus on the urgent need to address the growing complexity of cyber risks in an increasingly digital society.

Cybercrime is estimated to cost African organisations approximately USD 3.5 billion annually, with many incidents linked to weak cybersecurity frameworks, limited incident response capacity, and a growing gap in understanding AI-driven attacks. Compounding these challenges, many African states continue to prioritise pressing socio-economic development needs, often addressing cybersecurity reactively rather than as a strategic enabler of development.

The updated NCS responds directly to these realities. It provides a comprehensive and practical framework structured around seven key focus areas:
Governance; Critical Infrastructure; National Cyber Risk Management; Incident Response; Capacity Building and Awareness Raising; Legislation and Regulation; and International Cooperation. Together, these pillars offer a clear roadmap for countries seeking to develop, refine, or implement cybersecurity strategies that are aligned with rapidly evolving threat landscapes. The guide underscores a central principle: while digitalisation holds immense socio-economic promise, these benefits can only be realised if digital systems are secure, resilient, and trusted.

At its core, the NCS positions cybersecurity as a foundational requirement for sustainable socio-economic development. It equips policymakers with actionable guidance that recognises the interdependence between security, innovation, and inclusive growth in today’s digital economy.

C3SA’s contribution to the NCS was led by Prof Wallace Chigona, Dr Laban Bagui, Ms Zainab Ruhwanya, and Dr Tendani Thabela-Chimboza, who collectively brought deep academic insight, policy expertise, and capacity-building experience to the national effort.

This involvement reaffirms C3SA’s mandate to advance evidence-based cybersecurity policy, skills development, and regional collaboration. The launch of the updated National Cybersecurity Strategy Guide stands as a pivotal moment in strengthening the protection of connected societies and advancing a safer digital future for Africa.

For countries seeking to initiate or strengthen a national cybersecurity strategy roadmap, C3SA can be contacted at c3sa@uct.ac.za