The Economic Community of West African States or ECOWAS has launched a cybersecurity and cyber diplomacy Training of Trainers program to build long-term expertise across the region’s diplomatic academies.
Held in Praia, Cabo Verde, from November 10 to 13, the program certified instructors from foreign ministries to develop and teach future courses within their own institutions.
The initiative positions the Economic Community of West African States as the first regional economic community to embed cyber diplomacy into foreign service education.
The Praia session concluded a two-part series that began in September with a four-week virtual course covering foundational topics.
Trainers received instruction in both technical content and teaching methodology. Organizers say the program aims to create a self-sustaining system that strengthens cyber resilience through education and regional cooperation.
The training was delivered in partnership with the German Federal Foreign Office and the European Union.
It was jointly implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit and the Diplo Foundation, and co-hosted by the Cabo Verdean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, and Regional Integration.
Support from international and regional partners was key to advancing the effort and underlines a shared commitment to cybersecurity in West Africa’s foreign policy agenda.
