Niger launches national cybersecurity center to defend its digital future 🛡️🇳🇪

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The Nigerien government is taking new steps to protect its digital space. This week, it announced the creation of a National Cybersecurity Center (CNAC) — a major move to secure information systems, prevent attacks, and build public trust in the country’s digital ecosystem.

Cyberattacks are on the rise across Africa ⚠️

According to Interpol, cyberattacks have caused more than $3 billion in losses across Africa between 2019 and 2025. Determined to avoid the same fate, Niger’s Council of Ministers approved two decrees on October 11, 2025, to officially establish the CNAC.

The center will be responsible for protecting public and private data, monitoring critical infrastructure, and overseeing the implementation of Niger’s national cybersecurity strategy, adopted back in December 2022.

A more connected nation means greater exposure 🌐

Niger’s digital growth has been accelerating rapidly. Data from DataReportal shows that the number of mobile subscribers jumped from 9.8 million in 2019 to 16.5 million in 2025. Internet users have nearly tripled, reaching around 6.3 million over the same period.

But this boom comes with growing risks. As mobile payments, e-government services, and other digital tools expand, the country’s cybersecurity capacity hasn’t always kept pace.

According to Aïssata Chanoussi, Director of Information Systems Security at the National Agency for Information Society, the financial impact of cyberattacks in Niger has surged by 70 to 400% since 2022.

A question of digital sovereignty 🇳🇪

For Niger’s authorities, the CNAC is more than a security measure — it’s a pillar of digital sovereignty. The center will train local experts, raise public awareness, and help institutions respond faster to threats. Ultimately, the goal is to create a safer digital environment that boosts investor confidence and supports sustainable innovation.

Niger currently ranks in Tier 4 (T4) of the Global Cybersecurity Index 2024, published by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). This position highlights a solid regulatory framework, but also a need to strengthen technical and organizational capabilities.

Building a safer digital transformation 💻

With the CNAC, Niger joins a growing number of African nations investing in cybersecurity as a foundation for digital development. The move signals a broader ambition: to make the digital economy a driver of growth, while keeping citizens and businesses safe online.

The CNAC embodies Niger’s commitment to digital sovereignty, marking an important milestone toward a safer, more resilient, and future-ready digital ecosystem.

👉🏾 Do you think national cybersecurity centers are enough to protect user data in today’s digital age?