The African Union (AU) has trained more than 60 security and technical experts from 17 member states across West Africa and the Sahel on detecting and disrupting terrorists’ use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) and emerging technologies.
The training, organised by the African Union Counter Terrorism Centre (AUCTC) in collaboration with Nigeria’s National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), was held in Abuja from October 13 to 15, 2026.
The three-day Regional Technical Training of Trainers (ToT) focused on strengthening the ability of security, intelligence and law enforcement personnel to identify, prevent and disrupt terrorist activities involving digital platforms and emerging technologies.
Participants included representatives of defence and security forces, law enforcement agencies, financial intelligence centres, intelligence agencies, national counter-terrorism centres and cybersecurity agencies. Representatives of international, continental and regional organisations also attended.
Nigeria Highlights Growing Digital Terrorism Threat
In his keynote address, Nigeria’s National Coordinator of the NCTC, Major General Adamu Garba Laka, speaking on behalf of the Federal Government, emphasised that terrorist groups are increasingly exploiting digital platforms and emerging technologies to spread harmful content, recruit members, raise funds and coordinate their activities.
He underscored the need for countries to strengthen their capacities to identify, anticipate and prevent these threats before they materialise.
The training was designed to equip technical, operational and field-level officers with the knowledge, skills, tools and techniques needed to respond effectively to the growing use of technology by terrorist groups.
AU Programme Targets Cybersecurity Capacity Building
The regional training forms part of the AUCTC Continental Cybersecurity Capability Programme (A3CP), an initiative aimed at strengthening national and regional capacities to prevent, detect, disrupt, defend against and respond to terrorists’ exploitation of cyberspace across Africa.
Through the programme, the African Union seeks to improve cooperation among countries and strengthen their ability to address technology-related security threats.
Training to Strengthen Regional Cooperation
A key component of the initiative is the development of a network of skilled trainers who will return to their respective countries to share the knowledge and skills acquired with other relevant personnel.
The approach is expected to support sustainable capacity building, deepen regional cooperation and extend the impact of the training across West Africa and the Sahel.
By strengthening the technical expertise of security and cybersecurity personnel, the programme aims to improve regional preparedness against the evolving use of digital technologies by terrorist groups.
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