On 12 August, NCSA participated in the International Security Conference on Africa (ISCA) High-Level Discussion in Kigali, bringing together policymakers, security leaders, researchers, technology experts and development partners to examine the implications of autonomous and AI-enabled systems for Africa’s defence and security.

NCSA contributed to the second panel, “Africa’s Strategic Response: Adaptation, Governance and Development of Strategic Capabilities,” which explored how African countries can adapt to emerging technologies while developing the policies, governance frameworks and capabilities needed to remain secure and resilient.

In his contribution, the NCSA CEO stressed the importance of learning from past technological revolutions and ensuring Africa does not fall behind in the development and adoption of autonomous systems. He also highlighted the need to consider the cybersecurity and broader security implications of these technologies as their use expands.

The discussion underscored the need for forward-looking policies, stronger strategic capabilities and greater cooperation to ensure Africa can harness emerging technologies while managing their security risks.