IGAD Regional Cyber Drill Underway in Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa, June 26, 2026 (ENA)__A cyber drill, which has brought together representatives of cybersecurity institutions, law enforcement agencies, and operators of critical infrastructure from East African countries, is underway at the headquarters of the Information Network Security Administration (INSA) in Addis Ababa.

The IGAD Regional Cyber Drill 2026 aims to enhance cybersecurity capacity across East Africa and strengthen collective defenses against cross-border cyber threats.

Opening the cyber drill that began today, IGAD Head of Mission to Ethiopia, Abebaw Belachew, said cyber threats transcend national borders and pose a shared challenge to all countries, regardless of their level of development.

 

“Cyber threats do not recognize international borders, nor do they differentiate between the developed and the developing. Therefore, it is a common global threat,” he said.
The Head noted that cyber incidents in one country can have immediate ripple effects across the region, making collective preparedness essential.

“Our digital security is only as strong and as secure as our collective resolve," Abebaw said, adding that the regional cyber drill is designed not only to test participants' technical capabilities but also to strengthen coordination, rapid decision-making, and response through live cyber-attack simulation exercises.

He emphasized that building trust and professional networks among member states is just as important as strengthening technical expertise.

"The networks and professional relationships you forge over the coming days will be just as critical to our regional collective defense as the technical capabilities you're building," the Head stated.

Information Network Security Administration Director-General Tigist Hamid said cybersecurity has become a strategic imperative for national security, economic development, and regional stability as countries accelerate their digital transformation.

She emphasized that regional cooperation remains a central principle of Ethiopia's foreign policy and its approach to cybersecurity.

 

 

The Director-General warned that increasingly sophisticated cyber-attacks targeting governments, businesses, financial institutions, and critical infrastructure require continuous vigilance, information sharing, and coordinated regional action.

“We firmly believe that no country can effectively address cyber threats exclusively,” she said, reaffirming Information Network Security Administration’s commitment to working closely with governments, regional organizations, academia, the private sector, and development partners in areas, including cyber security governance, innovation, capacity building, information sharing, and joint cyber exercises.

She expressed confidence that the regional cyber drill would serve as an important platform to strengthen cooperation and improve the region's ability to address existing and emerging cyber threats.

 

The five-day drill is expected to enhance regional coordination, strengthen institutional capacity, and reinforce cooperation among IGAD member states in responding to evolving cybersecurity challenges.

The drill primarily focuses on building a common understanding of cybersecurity policies and strategic issues, strengthening technical capacity to identify threats, and enhancing rapid incident response capabilities.

Representatives from Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, and Djibouti are attending the drill.

The exercise also includes regional simulations aimed at improving preparedness against cyber-attacks targeting telecommunications, financial institutions, and other critical infrastructure, as well as joint responses to ransomware attacks and disinformation campaigns.