By Omar Bah
The West African Telecommunication Regulators Assembly (WATRA) aims to establish Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) to address the rising cyber threats in the region. The organization emphasizes collaboration among member states to manage cybersecurity challenges and advocates for infrastructure sharing to reduce internet costs. A concerning picture of Africa’s cybersecurity landscape was painted by Interpol’s October 2021 Cyber Threat Assessment Report, highlighting a 238% spike in cyberattacks on online banking platforms in 2020 and noting that 60% of the world’s Business Email Compromise (BEC) actors are based in Africa.
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) presented initiatives to strengthen the security of Digital Financial Services (DFS) in Africa, including conducting audits on mobile payment apps and SIM cards, developing a Model Memorandum of Understanding between regulators and central banks, and securing mobile payment apps and SIM card systems against risks like SIM swap fraud. WATRA, established in 2002, plays a crucial role in harmonizing the region’s regulatory framework and policies for telecommunications and ICT and coordinates and harmonizes member states’ national policies and regulations.
