Togo: Unveils National Cybersecurity Strategy 2024-2028 to Fortify Digital Defenses

• Togo launched its National Cybersecurity Strategy 2024-2028 to bolster defenses against cyberthreats and protect personal data.
• The Agence Nationale Cybersécurité Togo (ANCy) issued an `appel d'offres compétences` to build a national pool of cybersecurity expertise, reinforcing digital sovereignty.
• Two French filmmakers, Gaël Mocaër and Sebastian Perez Pezzani, arrested on July 27 in a state of emergency zone, were provisionally released on September 1 and authorized to leave Togo.
• Togolese authorities had pursued charges against the filmmakers for false declarations, citing a lack of proper press accreditation.
• Togo also repatriated approximately 20 of its citizens from South Africa following recent xenophobic tensions, with the state fully covering the voluntary return operation.

This strategic choice underscores Togo's commitment to a robust Togo digital sovereignty policy, recognizing that national security extends into the cyber realm as much as it does to physical borders.

Togo has recently navigated a complex landscape of national security, diplomatic relations, and digital infrastructure development. The nation's commitment to safeguarding its digital future is evident in the launch of a significant new strategic framework, while simultaneously addressing sensitive international incidents. These events collectively highlight Togo's multifaceted approach to protecting its interests and citizens, both domestically and on the global stage.

A key focus for the government has been the enhancement of its cybersecurity capabilities, a critical area given the increasing prevalence of digital threats. This effort is formalized under a comprehensive national strategy designed to fortify the country's online defenses and ensure its autonomy in the digital sphere. Concurrently, Togo has been involved in diplomatic matters, including the temporary detention of foreign nationals and the repatriation of its citizens from a neighboring country due to social unrest.

In a proactive move to counter the growing scale of cyberthreats, Togo has unveiled its ambitious Togo National Cybersecurity Strategy 2024-2028. This strategic blueprint is designed to significantly strengthen the nation's capacity to protect its digital assets and infrastructure. A central component of this strategy involves leveraging local expertise to build a resilient cybersecurity ecosystem.

To achieve this, the Agence Nationale Cybersécurité Togo (ANCy) has initiated an `appel d'offres compétences`, a call for tenders aimed at consolidating a national pool of specialized skills in cybersecurity. The primary objectives of this initiative are to prevent cyberattacks, ensure effective responses to security breaches, and crucially, to protect Togo personal data. ANCy has articulated that this talent pool will enable it to identify, qualify, and reference national competencies, mobilizing them as needed for technical, operational, research, development, training, awareness, or support missions vital to its mandate. This strategic choice underscores Togo's commitment to a robust Togo digital sovereignty policy, recognizing that national security extends into the cyber realm as much as it does to physical borders.

Amidst these security advancements, Togo also faced scrutiny regarding press freedom following the arrest of two French filmmakers, Gaël Mocaër and Sebastian Perez Pezzani. The pair was detained on July 27 while filming a documentary in the Savanes zone, an area near the Beninese border that is currently under a state of emergency. Authorities pursued charges against them, notably for making false declarations.

The Togolese Minister of Communication stated that while the individuals claimed to be journalists, their status remained undocumented, as they had not submitted a formal press accreditation request. Following diplomatic engagement, France's Quai d’Orsay confirmed that Mocaër and Pezzani were granted provisional release on September 1 and authorized to depart Togolese territory. Their return to France was scheduled for September 3, an incident that reignited discussions about the challenges of reporting in sensitive security environments.

Beyond its internal security and digital initiatives, Togo has also demonstrated its commitment to its citizens abroad. The nation recently facilitated the voluntary repatriation of approximately 20 Togolese nationals from South Africa. This operation, fully funded by the Togolese state, was a direct response to escalating xenophobic tensions that have affected African residents in South Africa for several months.

These diverse events—from the strategic development of cybersecurity infrastructure and the protection of personal data to managing international incidents and repatriating citizens—illustrate Togo's comprehensive approach to national security and its engagement with both domestic and international challenges. The government's focus on building local expertise for its digital defenses, alongside its diplomatic efforts, reflects a broader strategy to secure its future and protect its people.

Lawyers and compliance officers in Togo should monitor the implementation of the National Cybersecurity Strategy 2024-2028 for new data protection regulations and compliance obligations, and assess how their clients' digital operations align with Togo's evolving digital sovereignty framework.

Source: Original reporting via timbuktu-institute.org