Egypt’s justice minister Mahmoud El Sherif has said the national government is increasing its focus and efforts on combatting cybercrime, which comes as the country is one of the most targeted on the continent.
Speaking during a conference organised by the Ministry of Justice, in partnership with United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the Council of Europe, and the British University in Egypt, El Sherif said steps were being taken to upgrade systems and enhance capacity-building efforts.
The conference featured delegates from various Arab, African, and European nations, who met to focus on ways to improve international coordination against digital crimes.
A statement, published by Egypt’s State Information Service, reads that the country is continuing investment in ‘ digital transformation and institutional development’ and ‘increasing efforts to build a secure digital environment and combat cybercrime’.
El Sherif said the country is pushing ahead with plans announced last year that, in cooperation with UNODC, to launch the Egyptian-African Center for the Prevention and Combating of Cybercrime.
The cyber hub will provide training, knowledge exchange, and technical assistance to help empower African institutions to respond cyber threats and deliver justice in the digital era.
El Sherif added that cybercrime has become a “growing global challenge that requires stronger international cooperation, particularly with the rapid expansion of digital technologies and artificial intelligence.”
Citing Trend Micro data, last year, Interpol ranked Egypt second on the continent for ransomware detections, behind South Africa. Meanwhile, research from Mordor Intelligence identified that 13% of total cyber incidents recorded across Africa are in Egypt.
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