Sycom Integrated Solutions Calls For Greater Investment In Cybersecurity Talent To Secure Africa’s Digital Future

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Sycom Integrated Solutions Ltd has called for stronger collaboration between governments, universities, industry, and professional bodies to address Africa’s cybersecurity skills gap, warning that the continent’s digital future cannot be secured through technology alone.

The cybersecurity consulting firm said that while Africa continues to experience rapid digital transformation across government, finance, healthcare, education, and business, the shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals remains one of the biggest threats to sustainable digital growth.

According to the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Abdulrahman Akanbi, cybersecurity has evolved beyond an IT function and is now central to economic resilience, investor confidence, national security, and public trust.

“Africa’s digital economy is only as strong as the people capable of protecting it,” Akanbi said. “Technology alone cannot solve the cybersecurity challenge. We must deliberately invest in developing skilled professionals who can defend our digital future.”

The company noted that years of working with organisations across Africa have revealed that the biggest challenge is not access to cybersecurity technology but the shortage of qualified professionals capable of implementing and managing it effectively.

To address this challenge, Sycom established Sycom Academy, its training and workforce development arm, and launched the African Cybersecurity Scholarship Programme to provide aspiring professionals with access to internationally recognised cybersecurity education, mentoring, certification preparation, career guidance, and practical training.

The company said the programme has already supported scholars from several African countries, many of whom have secured cybersecurity roles within local and international organisations.

“Africa does not have a talent shortage,” Akanbi said. “It has an opportunity gap. Our goal is to remove financial barriers and create pathways that allow talented young Africans to build successful careers in cybersecurity.”

Sycom also announced its strategic partnership with Babcock University, describing it as a model for developing industry-ready cybersecurity professionals.

Rather than waiting until graduation, students will engage with industry throughout their academic journey through mentoring, professional workshops, certification programmes, internships, practical laboratories, industry projects, and career development initiatives.

The company believes the approach will enable graduates to leave university with academic qualifications, internationally recognised certifications, practical experience, professional networks, and workplace readiness.

According to Sycom, the model also benefits employers by reducing the gap between academic education and industry expectations while creating a sustainable talent pipeline for Africa’s growing digital economy.

The company urged governments to continue investing in digital skills development, universities to strengthen collaboration with employers, private sector organisations to expand mentoring and internship opportunities, and professional bodies to improve access to globally recognised certifications.

“No single organisation can solve Africa’s cybersecurity skills challenge alone,” Akanbi added. “Building a secure digital future requires collaboration between education, industry, government, and international partners.”

Sycom Integrated Solutions reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Africa’s digital transformation through cybersecurity consulting, workforce development, professional training, research collaborations, and scholarship initiatives.

The company said investing in people today will not only strengthen Africa’s digital resilience but also position the continent as a major contributor to the global cybersecurity workforce.