Cyberdrill 2025 Closes in Kintele, Boosts Central Africa’s Cyber Readiness

The 13th Regional Cyberdrill for Central Africa has officially concluded in Kintele after four days of intensive exercises, marking a significant step forward in regional efforts to strengthen cybersecurity capabilities. The 2025 edition brought together government teams, public security forces, critical infrastructure operators, national research centres, and international partners to enhance collective digital resilience.

Organised under the banner of digital sovereignty and regional cyber resilience, the event focused on improving preparedness and cooperation in the face of rising cyber threats. Key activities during the Cyberdrill included:

• Threat Analysis: In-depth examination of current cyber threats

• Attack Scenarios: Real-world case studies to understand attacker tactics

• Response Testing: Evaluation and validation of incident response protocols

• Collaboration Strengthening: Establishment of new regional and international partnerships

The event showcased the region’s growing capacity to manage and respond to cyber incidents through a combination of theoretical sessions and hands-on simulations. Participants engaged in national-level incident response training, threat identification exercises, and large-scale attack simulations.

The government of the Republic of Congo, through its Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Digital Economy,  reaffirmed its commitment to cybersecurity as a pillar of national security, institutional stability, economic trust, and social cohesion. The country is actively advancing its digital governance through the implementation of the National Digital Development Plan (2022–2026), the Congo Digital Strategy 2030, and the strengthening of the National Information Systems Security Agency (ANSSI).

A major highlight of the event was the institutional endorsement of the African Center for Research in Artificial Intelligence (CARIA). During the Council of Ministers held on 2 July 2025, the regulatory framework for CARIA, as well as the certification body for digital startups and technological innovation, was formally adopted—underscoring the Republic of Congo’s ambition to position itself as a digital trust hub in Central Africa.

The 2025 Cyberdrill also emphasised the need to institutionalise cooperation and operationalise lessons learned. Authorities called for the establishment of a coordinated and interoperable regional cybersecurity architecture capable of addressing cross-border and systemic cyber threats.

The event received support from key institutions including the International Telecommunication Union (ITU ), Interpol , ANSSI , and CARIA. Kintele was praised for its modern infrastructure and hospitality, further consolidating its emerging role as a digital crossroads for the continent.

Cyberdrill 2025 has set a new benchmark for cybersecurity collaboration in Central Africa, highlighting the region’s readiness and determination to defend its digital space through strategic coordination, capacity building, and sustained political will.