• AUF and Congo's ANSSI explore digital partnership to boost youth training and cybersecurity
• Initiative aims to equip youth amid high unemployment and digital transition
• Planned actions include joint training modules and cyber awareness campaigns

Agence universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF) for Central Africa and the Great Lakes region and Congo’s National Agency for the Security of Information Systems (ANSSI) are exploring a bolstered partnership in the digital sector.

Discussions to that effect took place between André Alain Kiyindou, AUF regional director, and Oboulas Conrad, ANSSI director general, on the sidelines of the Osiane Tech Fair in Brazzaville. Their talks focused on various areas of cooperation designed to back Congo’s digital transition and tackle evolving technological hurdles.

Key priorities addressed included the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) by younger generations, raising awareness about cybercrime, and developing relevant content for vocational training in digital fields. Both parties concurred on the significance of providing pertinent training that encompasses both technical and ethical aspects. This approach aims to support shifts in the labor market and ensure the responsible deployment of technologies.

This initiative underscores a mutual commitment to cultivating a robust, inclusive, and secure digital ecosystem. It also aligns with Congo's ambition to foster digital sovereignty while bolstering human capital in critical information and communication technology (ICT) sectors. With a population where 76% are under 35, according to the 2023 General Census of Population and Housing, Congo possesses a significant talent pool for digital sector growth.

Nevertheless, the youth unemployment rate for those aged 18 to 35 stands at 41%, according to an Afrobarometer survey. Consequently, this partnership could help deliver tailored training that is both technical and ethical, thereby assisting labor market evolution and promoting the responsible use of technologies.

The meeting between the AUF and the ANSSI may culminate in tangible projects in the coming months. These potential initiatives include the creation of joint training modules, the organization of awareness workshops, and the strengthening of collaboration between academic institutions and public bodies responsible for cybersecurity.

Samira Njoya