Cybersecurity Cooperation and Digital Sovereignty in the African Union Framework

Background: The proliferation of cyberattacks targeting financial systems and critical infrastructure across African states since 2022 has accelerated continental discussions on harmonized cybersecurity governance and digital sovereignty under the African Union's Malabo Convention framework. Aims/objectives: This study explores the extent to which African states are coordinating cybersecurity policy and digital governance frameworks to address transnational cyber threats while preserving national regulatory autonomy and data control. Method: The research employed document analysis of African Union cybersecurity strategies, national digital policy frameworks, and interviews with cybersecurity officials from two member states conducted throughout 2023 and 2024. Results: Findings indicate that ratification of the Malabo Convention remains slow due to capacity constraints and divergent national priorities, while bilateral partnerships with external actors, including the European Union and China, have filled regulatory and technical gaps unevenly across the continent. States with stronger domestic digital economies demonstrated more assertive sovereignty claims in data governance negotiations and cross-border data flow agreements. Conclusion: The study concludes that fragmented implementation undermines collective cybersecurity resilience, recommending accelerated ratification processes, regional capacity-building initiatives, and a unified African position in international cyber governance forums to balance digital sovereignty with the practical necessity of cross-border cooperation and information sharing among member states moving forward into the coming decade.

Keywords: cybersecurity, digital sovereignty, African Union, Malabo Convention, cyber governance