Rabat: The Kingdom of Morocco, true to its African vocation, will continue to support all initiatives aimed at enhancing the protection of information systems, developing skills and strengthening the continent’s cyber resilience, General Abdellah Boutrig, Vice President of the African Network of Cybersecurity Authorities (ANCA) and Director General of the General Directorate for the Security of Information Systems (DGSSI), said on Monday in Rabat.
According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, General Abdellah Boutrig emphasized that this approach aligns with the vision of cooperation and solidarity championed by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, in favor of a more integrated and resilient Africa that is in control of its own development. He made these remarks at the opening of the ANCA-CERT Executive Cybersecurity Leadership Program, the operational arm of the African Network of Cybersecurity Authorities.
General Boutrig highlighted the critical role national cybersecurity agencies play as the pillars of cyber governance in their respective countries. These agencies are seen as leading actors in the continental cooperation ANCA seeks to enhance. ANCA aims to unify efforts by providing a platform for harmonizing approaches, bringing expertise together, and promoting joint initiatives to serve the continent’s interests.
He also pointed out that cybersecurity has become crucial for economic development and digital trust. As administrations and economies transform, the collective ability to prevent, detect, and respond to cyber threats becomes an essential factor of resilience. This resilience is linked with digital sovereignty, requiring states to possess the capabilities, skills, and governance mechanisms to protect their information systems, strategic data, and critical infrastructure.
General Boutrig stressed that no country can tackle the challenges of cyber threats alone, as they transcend borders and demand coordinated responses. He emphasized the importance of African cooperation, including information sharing, experience exchange, development of common capacities, and institutional solidarity as key drivers for building a secure and resilient African cyberspace.
The progress expected from these initiatives requires the convergence of efforts from all stakeholders, including national institutions, regional organizations, partners, and private-sector actors. The success of ANCA-CERT or ANCA hinges on the active involvement of its members within a shared dynamic. ANCA-CERT has developed an ambitious action plan to support the development of cyber capacities across African states and strengthen continental cooperation. The Executive Cybersecurity Leadership Program marks a significant step toward realizing this ambition.
He concluded by stating that Africa possesses talent, expertise, and considerable potential. By continuing efforts in cooperation and capacity building, the continent can jointly create a safer, more resilient, and sovereign digital environment for the benefit of its citizens and economies.