CyberSafe and Google.org Unveil Africa Cybersecurity Initiative

A new initiative, Resilio Africa, backed by Google.org, is set to launch across Sub-Saharan Africa to bolster cybersecurity defenses for critical community institutions.

The three-year project aims to strengthen the digital security of communities and vital local organizations, providing them with the tools and expertise needed to combat the rising tide of cyberattacks.

Resilio Africa will directly assist 200 Critical Community Institutions (CCIs) with free technical tools, comprehensive cybersecurity assessments, real-time threat intelligence, and robust incident-response support. The program anticipates protecting over two million individuals and safeguarding more than 15 million public records across Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, and South Africa.

Haviva Kohl, Senior Program Manager at Google.org, emphasized the importance of secure digital systems for inclusive growth. “At Google.org, we believe that access to secure digital systems is a cornerstone of inclusive growth,” she said. “Our support for CyberSafe Foundation demonstrates our shared commitment to empowering communities and protecting the institutions that serve them.”

The project comes as cyber threats in Sub-Saharan Africa rapidly escalate. Many community institutions, while increasingly reliant on digital systems to store sensitive data, lack the necessary resources and expertise to adequately protect themselves. According to a brief from CyberSafe Foundation, many operate on outdated systems with limited cybersecurity awareness and insufficient budgets for security measures.

INTERPOL data reveals a 23% increase in ransomware attacks across Africa in 2023, disproportionately affecting public and non-profit organizations. Furthermore, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)’s Global Cybersecurity Index indicates that over 60% of African countries exhibit low cybersecurity readiness, creating a significant vulnerability exploited by cybercriminals through ransomware, phishing, data breaches, and Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks.

Reports from AfricaCERT and national CERT authorities confirm a growing trend of cyberattacks targeting public institutions throughout the region. Many government and healthcare organizations struggle with fundamental cybersecurity practices, such as utilizing encrypted communications.

Kenyan National Security data shows over 114 cyberattacks against community institutions in the first eight months of 2024, followed by a staggering 201% increase in attacks during the first quarter of 2025. Similar vulnerabilities are present in Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa, where institutions often lack the capacity to effectively respond to incidents.

CyberSafe Foundation warns that without immediate intervention, cyber incidents could severely disrupt essential public services, compromise sensitive data, and cause both digital and physical harm to millions.

Resilio Africa will provide CCIs with tailored playbooks and incident response frameworks, alongside over 10,000 hours of free cybersecurity consulting. Tiered cybersecurity training will be offered to executives, IT teams, and general staff, with over 4,500 employees across the four countries expected to participate.

“Africa’s digital transformation cannot succeed if our communities remain vulnerable,” stated Confidence Staveley, Founder and Executive Director of CyberSafe Foundation. “With Google.org’s support, we are scaling a proven model that will help critical institutions become resilient, safeguard the people they serve, and preserve trust in digital public systems.”

Interested institutions can apply to join the Resilio Africa project by filling out the online interest form at . Google.org, Google’s philanthropic arm, has been providing funding, innovation, and technical support to underserved communities since 2005.

CyberSafe Foundation has a strong track record in cybersecurity and AI education, having reached over 30 million people, trained more than 70,000 individuals, and assisted over 4,000 small businesses in strengthening their cybersecurity posture since 2019.

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