WORKSHOP series in the framework of G7

Summary

The GFCE workshops offer ECOWAS countries the support to identifying CCB needs, sharing knowledge and best practices, and setting CCB priorities. The outcome of the series consists of a White Paper with recommendations for a three-year West African G7 CCB programme and the establishment of an ECOWAS G7 CCB platform.

Details

Aim

Through participation in GFCE workshops, ECOWAS countries are further engaged in identifying CCB needs, sharing knowledge and best practices, and setting CCB priorities.

Context

In light of the global challenges associated with malicious cyber activities and aware of the difficulties to quantify these challenges in low-and middle-income countries, the German Government in cooperation with the ECOWAS Commission has established a “G7-Africa Platform for Strengthening Cyber-Resilience through Cyber Capacity Building” during its G7 Presidency in 2022.

Outcomes

Development of a White Paper that contains the following elements:

• Identifying CCB needs in the ECOWAS region, based on the workshop feedback, as well as from ongoing GFCE initiatives in the region
• Delivering recommendations for a three-year West African G7 CCB programme and the establishment of an ECOWAS G7 CCB platform.

Activities

• Organization of two topic-driven workshops on CIP/cyber diplomacy skills and on fighting cybercrime/terrorist use of the internet and protection of free and fair elections.
• In-depth interviews with each ECOWAS member states on their CCB needs.
• Increased participation of ECOWAS countries in GFCE initiatives, including the AU-GFCE project and the CCB Coordination Committee