The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) and the Netherlands’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs, partnering with Observer Research Foundation America and Research ICT Africa, convened the in-person Global Cyber Policy Dialogues: Southern Africa on 4–5 March 2026.
The one-and-a-half-day multistakeholder gathering drew around 50 participants from 15 Southern African nations, including Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Experts and representatives from donor countries active in the region also attended.
Held amid rising cyber threats and rapid digital transformation across the continent, the meeting aimed to spark candid, cross-sector discussions on pressing cyber policy issues. Delegates from government, civil society, academia, the technical community, and the private sector explored shared challenges and collaborative solutions to enhance regional cybersecurity resilience, combat cybercrime, and promote inclusive digital governance.
This initiative builds on previous dialogues in the series, underscoring South Africa and the Netherlands’ commitment to fostering multistakeholder cooperation for a secure and stable cyberspace in Southern Africa.
