Franck Kié began his career in finance but transitioned to cybersecurity, driven by a desire to make a more meaningful impact. Now, he leads Ciberobs Consulting, an Africa-focused cybersecurity and economic intelligence firm, and organises the Cyber Africa Forum (CAF), one of the continent’s biggest cybersecurity gatherings. CAF, now in its fifth year, brings together public and private stakeholders to shape the continent’s digital security agenda.
I caught up with Kié in Benin, where this year’s edition of CAF was hosted, to talk about the evolution of Africa’s cybersecurity space, the brain drain of local talent, and why he believes the future of global cybersecurity could be African.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
What motivated you to start the Cyber Africa Forum?
I was living in Europe when I switched careers from finance to cybersecurity, and there was a major event there that everyone in the field attended—an essential platform where companies showcased solutions and governments held strategic meetings. It struck me that nothing like that existed in Africa. So, I told myself: if it can happen in Europe, it can happen here too. People want to connect, learn, and grow together. That was the seed of CAF. Now, five years later, it’s become the annual meeting point for cybersecurity decision-makers across the continent.
What was special about bringing CAF to Benin this year?
We always aim to rotate the event to ensure inclusivity and pan-African representation. Hosting CAF in Benin was a strategic decision to foster regional participation and emphasisze that cybersecurity isn’t just a Nigerian, Kenyan, or South African issue—it’s continental. It’s also about showing that smaller markets can lead on digital transformation too.
How would you describe the state of cybersecurity in Africa today?
We’ve made real progress. Five years ago, we had far fewer cybersecurity agencies, professionals, and startups. Today, those numbers are growing. That’s the good news. The bad news is that cybercrime is growing just as fast, if not faster. Without robust defenses, it becomes a national security issue. Cyberattacks can disrupt economies and public services, so governments are starting to take them seriously. I believe cybersecurity will become a top national priority in most African countries very soon.
Fraud and cyberattacks targeting banks and fintechs are on the rise. Why is this happening, and what can be done?
They’re easy targets. Banks handle vast financial flows, and telcos are now critical players thanks to mobile money. That makes them attractive to attackers. The issue isn’t just technology, it’s people. Staff awareness is critical. Institutions need to invest in internal cybersecurity culture, and telcos, especially, have the power to reach users directly and promote awareness. That’s a major opportunity.
You’ve spoken about the shortage of cybersecurity professionals on the continent. What’s driving that, and how do we fix it?
We do have a talent shortage, and worse, even when we train people, they often leave for better opportunities abroad. It’s a vicious cycle. To retain talent, we need to build strong local ecosystems. That means creating policies that give local companies access to business opportunities so they can grow and pay competitive salaries. The more successful our startups are, the more likely talent is to stay.
What’s one contrarian opinion you hold about Africa’s cybersecurity sector?
Some still believe there’s no real cybersecurity market in Africa. I disagree. The market is emerging; it’s just structured differently. In Europe, cybersecurity tools are built around desktops and enterprise systems. In Africa, the mobile phone is the core of digital life. So our challenge is to create homegrown cybersecurity models that fit local realities. Just as mobile money transformed banking here, I believe Africa will innovate its own cybersecurity playbook and the rest of the world will follow.
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