Washington, D.C., December 16, 2022
Cybastion, an emerging leader in cybersecurity, took center stage at the US-Africa Leaders Summit side events. The cybersecurity company was also the platinum sponsor of the US – Africa Business Forum event. (USABF).
US-Africa Business Forum
The USABF event took place on the second day of the Summit (December 14). It was organized by the White House, the United States Department of Commerce, the United States Chamber of Commerce and the Corporate Council on Africa, in partnership with the Prosper Africa initiative, under the theme “Partnering for a Prosperous and Resilient Future.”
Speaking at the USABF event, President Biden announced more than $15 billion in bilateral trade and investment commitments, agreements and partnerships, which advance key priorities including sustainable energy, health systems, agribusiness, digital connectivity, infrastructure and finance. He said: "In total, the forum has generated more than $15 billion in new deals, which will transform, improve and improve the lives of people across the continent. And that is the biggest deal of all."
Deal Room -Cisco & Cybastion: Strengthening cybersecurity in West Africa
CEO and President of Cybastion,Dr Thierry Wandji, withFran Katsoudas, executive vice president and chief human resources, policy and purpose officer at Cisco, featured in theProsper AfricaDeal Room, where the US private sector's commitments to promoting mutually beneficial partnerships that create jobs and drive inclusive and sustainable growth on both sides of the Atlantic were presented.
US-based multinational technology company, Cisco, in collaboration with Cybastion, is facilitating major cybersecurity export contracts in Niger, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Congo Brazzaville, Benin and Cameroon, totaling $858 million. As improving cybersecurity becomes an increasingly important priority globally, it is essential that emerging economies are protected against online threats. A powerful combination of U.S. ICT capabilities has been assembled to address Africa's multiple digital opportunities and challenges, leveraging the best of U.S. technology with the knowledge and customization of the African American diaspora. Watch the full Deal Room announcement below.
Cybastion-Cisco offerings, in concert with other U.S. technology and service providers, provide superior solutions, true network integrity, and substantial training and workforce development opportunities, rooted in the on-the-ground intimacy that Cybastion brings as a diaspora company.
And in a major coup for Cybastion, President Biden then mentioned Cybastion in his USABF speech saying: “Cisco Systems and Cybastion, a small diaspora-owned company, are jointly announcing $800 million in new contracts to protect African countries against cyber threats. »
This incredible feat was featured in major news media in the United States and Africa, includingVOAAfrica, New York times, France24AndAll of Africa. Learn more about the commitments in the President's full speechhere.
Panel discussion – USABF
CEO and President of Cybastion,Dr Thierry Wandji, also spoke at the USABF panel on Advancing Digital Connectivity: Partnerships to
Fostering inclusive growth through technology. The session discussed opportunities and challenges for the United States and Africa to better collaborate to strengthen Africa's vibrant digital economy, expand internet infrastructure, and promote inclusive, secure, and sustainable connectivity. The panel also discussed how to improve digital skills and literacy, including MSMEs, and foster an enabling environment that maximizes the potential of the African Union's digital transformation strategy to create an inclusive and secure digital market in Africa by 2030. Watch the full panel session below.
Cybastion Agreement signing ceremony
On the sidelines of the Summit, Cybastion signed agreements with four African countries, Ivory Coast, Benin, Burkina Faso and Congo, and Coris Bank. The agreement signing ceremonies took place at events hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce, of which Cybastion is a board member. These contracts are expected to strengthen the expansion of digital platforms through strong cybersecurity protection and will be a driver of economic development and investment, organizational transparency and human capacity building.
About Cybastion
Cybastion, a one-stop shop for all cybersecurity needs, offers cybersecurity solutions, infrastructure and digital technologies. The company is headquartered in Durham, North Carolina and has a large presence in Africa, working in 8 countries. Cybastion seeks to bridge the cybersecurity gap between Africa and more developed countries through digital cybersecurity solutions, infrastructure and technologies.
Cybastion’s work to build capacity in Africa is particularly important, because as President Biden says: “When Africa succeeds, America succeeds; frankly, the whole world succeeds too.”
Author: Emana Shunnom is a Senior Policy Manager at Cybastion and has extensive experience working with the federal government of Nigeria and the United States. In her role, she leads projects at the intersection of policy, technology and government relations and manages communications and outreach efforts for Cybastion's business strategy and government affairs department.
