Gabon Strengthens Cybersecurity Expertise at Octopus 2026 Conference

Gabon’s National Agency for Digital Infrastructure and Frequencies (ANINF)  is strengthening its cybersecurity capabilities through participation in the Octopus 2026 Conference, held from October 14 to 16 in Strasbourg, France.

Organised by the Council of Europe to mark the 25th anniversary of the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime, the international conference focuses on cooperation in combating cybercrime and the collection and use of electronic evidence.

The ANINF delegation, led under the direction of Director General Alberto Mounguengui Moudoki, includes personnel from the agency’s Information Security Directorate (DISI). The team is participating in discussions on digital evidence collection, cooperation with service providers and capacity building.

According to ANINF, its participation is intended to strengthen the agency’s technical expertise and improve its ability to anticipate and respond to cyber threats. The conference also provides an opportunity to explore international cooperation mechanisms, including the prospects of Gabon joining the Budapest Convention.

The convention provides a framework for international cooperation on cybercrime investigations and electronic evidence, supporting efforts to address offences committed through digital systems across national borders.

ANINF highlighted the importance of stronger cybersecurity measures amid growing threats such as online fraud, identity theft and ransomware attacks. These risks have implications for citizen protection, the security of digital public services and trust in the national digital environment.

The agency’s participation aligns with Gabonese President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema’s stated vision of strengthening the country’s digital sovereignty. By engaging with international cybersecurity stakeholders, ANINF aims to enhance its technical capacity and explore cooperation opportunities to improve Gabon’s response to cybercrime.