Every day, schools, hospitals, local offices, and community groups across Africa use computers and the internet to store people’s information.
Names, phone numbers, health records, and public documents are now kept online. But many of these institutions do not have strong protection. This makes them easy targets for cybercriminals.
To help solve this problem, CyberSafe Foundation, with support from Google.org, is launching a new project called Resilio Africa. The project will run for three years and will focus on protecting communities and important local institutions across Sub-Saharan Africa from cyberattacks.
Resilio Africa will support 200 Critical Community Institutions, also known as CCIs. These include public and non-profit organizations that serve large numbers of people. The institutions will receive free cybersecurity tools, security checks, threat information, and support to respond to cyber incidents.
Through this project, more than 2 million people are expected to be protected. The programme will also help secure over 15 million public records in Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, and South Africa. This makes Resilio Africa one of the largest community-focused cybersecurity projects in Africa.
Google.org says safe digital systems are important for growth and development. Haviva Kohl, Senior Program Manager at Google.org, said the partnership shows a shared goal of protecting communities and the institutions that support them. He explained that Resilio Africa will help community organizations work safely and confidently in today’s digital world.
CyberSafe Foundation says cyber threats in Africa are growing fast. Many institutions now collect large amounts of personal data but do not have the skills, tools, or money to protect it. Some still use old systems, have little knowledge of cyber risks, and do not plan for security at all.
According to INTERPOL, cybercrime in Africa is increasing. In 2023, the continent recorded a 23 percent rise in ransomware attacks, with public and non-profit institutions among the hardest hit. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) also reports that over 60 percent of African countries have low commitment to cybersecurity readiness. This weak protection has created space for attacks such as phishing, data theft, ransomware, and service shutdowns.
Reports from AfricaCERT and national cybersecurity teams show that cyberattacks against public institutions are already happening across the region. Many government and health organizations still struggle with basic security practices like encrypted communication.
In Kenya, national security data shows that more than 114 cyberattacks on community institutions were recorded in the first eight months of 2024. In early 2025, attacks increased by 201 percent in just the first quarter.
In Nigeria, many government and healthcare systems still use communication channels that are not encrypted. Similar risks exist in Ghana and South Africa, where many institutions lack the ability to respond quickly when attacks happen.
CyberSafe Foundation warns that without quick support, cyberattacks could disrupt public services, expose sensitive information, and cause serious harm to people’s lives.
Resilio Africa aims to change this. The project will provide cybersecurity assessments, custom security guides, and incident-response plans designed for each institution. It will also offer over 10,000 hours of free cybersecurity consulting.
Training will be provided for leaders, IT staff, and general workers, with more than 4,500 employees expected to be trained across the four countries. The goal is to strengthen systems, build skills, and ensure long-term digital safety.
Confidence Staveley, Founder and Executive Director of CyberSafe Foundation, said Africa’s digital future depends on strong protection. She explained that with support from Google.org, the foundation is expanding a model that helps important institutions stay safe, protect the people they serve, and maintain trust in digital public systems.
Applications to join the Resilio Africa project are now open. Eligible institutions can apply by filling out the online interest form at www.resilio.cybersafefoundation.org.
Google.org is Google’s charity arm and has supported underserved communities with funding, tools, and innovation since 2005.
CyberSafe Foundation works to make cybersecurity and AI education available to underserved groups. Since 2019, it has reached over 30 million people, trained more than 70,000 individuals, and supported over 4,000 small businesses to improve their cybersecurity.
Source: Mahmud Mohammed-Nurudeen/Media Without Borders/mwbonline.org/Ghana/West Africa
