This concern took centre stage at the Africa Tech Alliance Forum (AfriTECH 5.0) and ATAEx Awards 2025, where Happiness Obioha, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Tizel Cybersecurity, delivered one of the event’s most compelling arguments for a new cybersecurity paradigm rooted in African intelligence rather than foreign technology.

Speaking on the theme “Beyond Firewalls: The Case for Homegrown Cybersecurity Intelligence in Africa,” Obioha maintained that Africa’s cybersecurity risks cannot be effectively mitigated with imported solutions that were never designed for the continent’s distinct digital realities.

She described Africa’s cyber landscape as one defined by unique threat actors, infrastructural limitations, cultural nuances, and business patterns that global security platforms often fail to understand.

According to her, relying solely on perimeter-based defenses such as firewalls is no longer adequate in a world where cyberattacks grow more adaptive, persistent, and sophisticated.

Obioha argued that Africa’s dependence on generic global tools has created a critical gap in the continent’s ability to detect, interpret, and respond to emerging threats, and explained that foreign cybersecurity systems frequently misread local attack patterns or fail to anticipate region-specific vulnerabilities.

As a result, many African organizations operate with a false sense of safety while facing increasingly complex threats ranging from ransomware and financial fraud to targeted breaches on government infrastructure.

The Tizel CEO emphasised that Africa’s long-term security lies in adopting intelligence-led approaches that draw from local insights, indigenous expertise, and continental research, and noted that such solutions allow faster and more precise threat detection because they are built with an understanding of local behaviour patterns and digital environments.

Beyond security improvements, she stressed that homegrown cybersecurity also strengthens national sovereignty, reduces capital flight, expands technical capacity, and creates jobs in one of the world’s fastest-growing sectors.

Obioha cited Tizel Cybersecurity as an example of what locally grounded innovation can achieve, explaining that the company’s model integrates contextual intelligence, real-time monitoring, rapid incident response, and strict adherence to regulatory frameworks.

Cross section of (some) attendees at AfriTECH 5.0

According to Happiness Obioha, Tizel’s work with banks, telecom operators, government agencies, and SMEs demonstrates the measurable impact of Africa-specific cybersecurity architecture.

Among the results she highlighted were the prevention of a major ransomware attack in the financial sector, a significant reduction in network downtime for a telecom operator, and the deployment of effective real-time monitoring systems for a government agency.

She reinforced that Tizel’s success is built on its deep understanding of the African digital ecosystem, a familiarity she described as indispensable for delivering cybersecurity that genuinely protects African institutions.

The region’s business culture, infrastructural diversity, and evolving digital habits, she said, can only be accurately interpreted by experts who operate within the same environment.

Obioha urged African enterprises and governments to take a more deliberate approach toward securing their digital future, and encouraged them to re-examine their cybersecurity posture, invest in indigenous intelligence-driven solutions, and build internal teams equipped to respond to emerging threats.

The survival and competitiveness of African businesses, she noted, will increasingly depend on their ability to align security strategies with the realities of the continent’s rapidly evolving digital economy.

“Africa’s digital future is promising,” she concluded during the presentation at AfriTECH 5.0, “but it must be secured with intelligence and innovation that come from within the continent.”

George Agu, the MD/CEO of ActivEdge Technologies Limited, is an astute founder and technology leader whose illustrious career spans over twenty-five years across core banking systems, enterprise applications, fintech, cybersecurity, and AI-powered e-government services.

His experience blends strong technical expertise with strategic business leadership, having successfully built and scaled enterprise and public-sector technology platforms across West, East, and Southern Africa.

A Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) and Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), Agu is also an alumnus of The Wharton School and the London School of Economics (LSE) through executive education, with specialisations in Entrepreneurship Acceleration, FinTech Revolution, Strategic Innovation, and Public Policy Analysis.

He began his professional journey as a software developer at CSA Nigeria in 2000, later joining Neptune Software, where he rose from Systems Implementation Manager to Managing Director/CEO for West Africa. At Neptune, he played a pivotal role in the success of the Equinox and Orbit core-banking platforms, with Orbit earning the No. 1 global ranking in microfinance core banking by CGAP (Washington DC).

As a serial founder, Agu established ActivEdge Technologies, a pan-African systems integrator delivering solutions in cybersecurity, GRC, enterprise automation, cloud, and core infrastructure, executing projects in more than six African countries.

He went on to found PayEdge, a fintech company addressing MSME liquidity and supply-chain finance challenges, and Introspec, a settlement and reconciliation platform used by banks in over fifteen African countries.

His latest innovation, HarmonyEdge, is an AI-powered e-government platform that digitises workflows, enables analytics and decisioning, supports citizen engagement, and powers payment and e-reconciliation systems, currently being piloted in a leading African nation.

Beyond entrepreneurship, George Agu contributes actively at board and civic levels. He serves on the Abia State Global Economic Advisory Council, chairing a sector committee, and on the board of TN Cybertech Bank, where he leads the Technology and Strategy Committee.

He also chairs the Business Roundtable of the African Bar Association and serves as Deputy President of the South East–South South Professionals.

Speaking ahead of AfriTECH 5.0, Mr. Chike Onwuegbuchi, co-convener, described Agu as a “seasoned technology visionary whose work embodies the spirit of African innovation and digital self-reliance.”

“His keynote will provide practical insights on how AI and sovereign technologies can redefine digital transformation across Africa’s public and private sectors”, Onwuegbuchi said.

AfriTECH 5.0 will convene industry leaders, policymakers, investors, and innovators to explore the role of AI and indigenous technologies in driving Africa’s digital independence.

The event is supported by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) with Digital Encode Limited as the Platinum Sponsor.

Other Gold sponsors are Galaxy Backbone, itel, Digital Realty, ActivEdge Technologies, Tecom, Tizel Cybersecurity, AfriGoPay Financial Services Limited, SKOT Communications and other ecosystem partners.

Registration is ongoing via the portal.

He made this call at The Africa Tech Alliance Forum (AfriTECH 4.0) which took place yesterday, November 7, 2024, at Oriental Hotel, Lekki Road, Lagos. 

Centred around the theme: “Leapfrogging Digital Transformation for Future of Africa’s Economy,” the forum convened industry leaders, policymakers, and technology advocates to discuss Africa’s digital growth. 

Citing Nigeria as an example, Rudman stressed the disparity between the abundant digital policies and their lack of effective action, reflecting on former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s comment that “Nigeria is the graveyard for excellent policies.” 

He added that the lack of policy execution is particularly problematic in sectors essential to economic growth and national inclusivity.

While noting the strides made in other countries, Rudman pointed to India as an example, where significant investments have reached underserved areas. 

In Nigeria, he noted, the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, led by the Minister, has invested approximately $2 billion into initiatives that extend over 90,000 kilometres of broadband infrastructure into rural areas to connect the unserved population. 

Added to this, Rudman mentioned the Central Bank of Nigeria’s financial inclusion initiatives and the Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) aimed at ensuring access to digital and financial services across the country.

Despite these goal-driven projects, Rudman emphasised the gap between policy and practice. He said, “We have excellent policies to achieve that, but when it comes to implementing those policies, we are really, really lagging behind, and it’s the responsibility of the government to ensure that those policies are actually achieved.” 

He stressed the importance of government accountability in bridging this divide, calling it “a million-dollar question on how government can be achieving policies they have done.”

Rudman proposed implementing tougher penalties for non-performance as a potential solution, saying, “Unless there is going to be a high penalty for not delivering… then yes, maybe it can happen.” He argued that without tangible consequences, policies may continue to stagnate, hindering Nigeria’s potential in the digital economy.

Rudman’s address at AfriTECH 4.0 encompassed the fact that Nigeria has strong policies aimed at digital transformation, but it remains essential to ensure these plans are implemented with diligence and accountability.

AfriTECH 2.0 scheduled to hold at Oriental Hotel, Lekki Road, is focused on ‘Sustainability and The Company of the Future’, as the central theme.

According to the organisers from TechCastle Foundation and TechEconomy.ng, AfriTECH 2.0 will convene Business leaders/CEOs of Companies and Organisations, Innovators, Government Representatives, International Organizations, Diplomats, Investors, Academia, Start-ups and Entrepreneurs in their numbers.

The array of industry leaders, and tech-entrepreneurs, decision-makers, and tech ecosystem players from across the continent, will unpack the various challenges, scenarios, and mind-blowing economic opportunities in ‘Harnessing Digital Identity for Digital Economy Agenda’; ‘Creating Sustainable Future through Connectivity’; ‘Blockchain & Cryptocurrency – The Future of Money’; and ‘Cloud Computing in 5G Era – Everything-As-A-Service’.

According to Statista, 97% of respondents to a digital transformation survey stated that the COVID-19 pandemic, for instance, sped up digital transformation processes in their respective organisations.

Global spending on digital transformation is projected to reach $1.78 trillion in 2022. But in what ways will this transformation manifest?

The answer lies in trends that will shape the businesses of tomorrow. The case is no different for the Government: The current, incremental pace of economic and social advancement shows too many of Africa’s expanding youth population will be denied the opportunity to live up to their potential. Therefore, Africa should think big on digital development.

“Digital technologies offer a chance to disrupt this trajectory – unlocking new pathways for rapid economic growth, innovation, job creation and access to services which would have been unimaginable only a decade ago.

“Yet there is also a growing ‘digital divide’, and increased cyber risks, which need urgent and coordinated action to mitigate. Access to the internet remains out of reach for many citizens in the continent. Too few citizens have digital IDs or transaction accounts – locking them out of access to critical services and e-commerce”, said Mr. Chike Onwuegbuchi, the co-Convener AfriTECH 2.0 and Co-Founder of TechCastle Foundation.

Continuing, he said, “Digital startups seek more funding and ‘traditional’ businesses are only slowly adopting digital technologies and platforms to boost productivity and sales. Few governments are investing strategically and systematically in developing digital infrastructure, services, skills and entrepreneurship.

“To become tomorrow’s innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders, Africa’s youth need to be empowered with the digital skills and access to technology and markets that are essential to thrive in an increasingly digitized global economy. The time for action is now! Join us at AfriTECH 2.0.

On his part, Peter Oluka, the Editor of TechEconomy.ng, said that AfriTECH 2.0 will be a consolidation on the first edition with massive publicity and industry participation, adding that delegates should expect issue-based Forum through Keynotes, Panel Discussions, Exhibitions, Innovation Management Workshops, and AfriTECH AWARDS 2022.

“Africa Tech Alliance Forum 2022 will culminate in awards ceremony which aims to celebrate and reward companies and individuals on the African continent that have demonstrated excellence in the areas of innovative product/service development, policy/regulations, amongst other areas”.

“We are very excited about the feedbacks so far with regards potential speakers, panellists and even the potential awardees.

Delegates will be exposed to unique insights into the different ways 5G networks, artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain/cryptocurrency, digital identity, and the Internet of Things (IoT) will shape the future of Africa’s development.

Participation:

AfriTECH 2.0 is open for public participation, however interested attendees are encouraged to secure their spot by going to AfriTECH 2.0 or email: Meet@africatechallianceforum.africa.