From October 15 to 18, 2024, Rwanda will welcome cyber leaders and tech experts from across the continent and beyond for the fifth edition of the Africa Cyber Defense Forum (ACDF) at the Kigali Convention Center.

Hosted in partnership with Rwanda’s National Cyber Security Authority, this pivotal forum aims to bolster Africa's digital future through enhanced cooperation between public and private sector stakeholders in promoting cybersecurity.

With over 400 attendees expected, the ACDF is set to significantly advance the conversation on ensuring collective cyber resilience across Africa. This year’s theme, "Enhancing Cyber Resilience: Safeguarding Africa's Digital Infrastructure," promises a rich agenda of keynote speeches and panel discussions designed to influence the continental, regional, and industry cybersecurity landscape.

Key topics will tackle pressing issues such as fostering cybersecurity collaboration, navigating the complexities of AI and emerging technologies, protecting critical infrastructure, securing cloud adoption, harmonizing cyber regulations, and ensuring effective incident response.

In an exciting addition, the forum will host the finals of the National Cyberlympics competition, where fifteen teams will compete in an exhilarating race against the clock to solve cybersecurity challenges in real-life based scenarios covering areas like cryptography, digital forensics and incident response.

Additionally, the ACDF Cyber Drill will simulate cyberattack scenarios for representatives of African Computer Emergency Response Teams, enhancing real-world preparedness through collaboration with the Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams (FIRST).

The forum will also showcase a vibrant exhibition featuring innovative cybersecurity companies, providing them with invaluable exposure to international and pan-African markets, as well as networking opportunities with industry executives and thought leaders.

As the ACDF frames the cybersecurity and digital threat landscape in Africa, it aims to embed cybersecurity and resilience into the heart of executive decision-making, equipping stakeholders with the insights needed to shape the future of cyberspace and foster digital trust across the continent.