IGAD Cyber Drill Participants Call for Stronger Cooperation against Emerging Threats

Addis Ababa, June 30, 2026 (ENA) —The IGAD Regional Cyber Drill 2026 has concluded with participating countries calling for stronger regional cooperation, harmonized cybersecurity policies, and sustained capacity building to address the growing threat of cross-border cyberattacks.

The drill brought together cybersecurity experts, policymakers, law enforcement agencies, and critical infrastructure operators from Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, and Uganda.

Throughout the exercise, participants engaged in policy discussions, technical simulations, and practical cyber defense exercises aimed at strengthening regional preparedness and improving coordinated responses to cyber incidents, it was learned.

Speaking to ENA, IGAD Data Governance expert, Khadra Ali Yusuf, said the drill successfully combined policy discussions with hands-on technical simulations, including threat intelligence sharing and malware analysis.

She stated that IGAD intends to build on the success of the exercise by establishing a regional Information Sharing and Analysis Center (ISAC) to enable member states to exchange cyber threat information, conduct malware analysis, and share lessons learned.

According to Yusuf, IGAD is considering making the regional cyber drill an annual event to strengthen technical expertise and deepen cooperation among member states.

"The member states have clearly indicated that they need more technical expertise and more opportunities to learn from one another. As IGAD, we are planning to organize these drills annually," the expert said.

Principal Systems Administrator at the Office of the Prime Minister of Uganda, Robert Lwasa said the drill has enabled member states to exchange experiences on cybersecurity governance, institutional arrangements, and national strategies.

Lwasa stressed that continued capacity building, stronger legal frameworks, political commitment, and regional collaboration are essential to protecting critical infrastructure and ensuring a secure digital environment.

Representing South Sudan's National Communication Authority, Security Operations Center (SOC) Analyst, Yom Malual Majok, said the practical nature of the exercise has enabled participants to simulate real-world cyber incidents affecting government institutions, financial systems, and private organizations.

She noted that the training will help participants identify critical systems, improve incident response capabilities, and strengthen national cybersecurity strategies upon returning to their respective countries.

She emphasized that cybersecurity is a shared responsibility requiring regional collaboration.

"Cyber threats do not target one country because we are all using the same internet and operating in the same cyberspace," Majok said, adding that regional frameworks and joint policies would strengthen collective resilience.

Representing Somalia's Ministry of Communications and Technology, ICT Director Hassan Hussein Mohammed described the cyber drill as highly beneficial, saying participants gained valuable technical knowledge and practical experience from Ethiopia and international experts.

According to him, Somalia plans to apply the lessons learned to strengthen its national cybersecurity institutions and improve protection of critical infrastructure.