On 23 July 2025, a delegation from Senegal’s Centre des Hautes Études de Défense et de Sécurité (CHEDS), led by General Jean DIEME, visited Côte d’Ivoire’s National Cybersecurity Agency (ANSSI-CI). The exchange focused on crisis management, cyber resilience, and strengthening regional digital sovereignty. The collaboration highlights a pivotal step toward a unified West African cybersecurity posture.
On 23 July 2025, CHEDS, composed of eighteen auditors under the leadership of General Jean DIEME, Director‑General of CHEDS-Sénégal, was officially welcomed by Colonel‑Major Guelpetchin OUATTARA, Director‑General of ANSSI-CI, at the latter’s headquarters in Abidjan.
They engaged in frank, technical exchanges focusing on managing major cyber crises, building strategic resilience, and responding to evolving threats in the region’s complex geopolitical landscape.
Immersion in Operational Structures
The itinerary included a visit to ANSSI-CI’s operational nerve centre the supervision and alert centre responsible for detection and response capabilities. Delegates observed the agency’s real‑time incident detection systems, coordination channels, and response playbooks.
Regional Sovereignty on the Agenda
This cooperation marks a deliberate step away from reliance on external support and toward building African-led cybersecurity institutions. The partnership between CHEDS and ANSSI-CI signals a shared ambition to shape regional digital sovereignty and resilience.
Broader Context & Regional Significance
Why It Matters to MEA
Although this cooperation is specific to Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal, the initiative reflects a growing emphasis on national and regional cybersecurity autonomy across West Africa. Similar frameworks are emerging across East Africa, North Africa, and the Gulf region, where institutional collaboration and cyber policy coordination are key priorities.
Setting a Precedent for African Cyber Diplomacy
CHEDS serves as Senegal’s premier strategic and defense think tank, training high-level civilian and military auditors. ANSSI-CI, under Colonel-Major OUATTARA, operates as Côte d’Ivoire’s central authority in cybersecurity governance and incident response.
The exchange aligns with a wider regional trend toward formalized cooperation such as the DCSSI‑CHEDS partnership signed earlier in 2025 to bolster collective incident response, threat intelligence sharing, and capacity building.
Expert Perspectives
While no public quotes were released, cybersecurity analysts view the event as a model for multilateral cybersecurity capacity building in Africa. They highlight the significance of combining strategic education with operational capabilities.
An expert from the Regional Cyber Policy Forum noted:
“This visit demonstrates how strategic institutions can empower national cybersecurity frameworks and reduce external dependencies.”
Headers of ANSSI-CI commented:
“Immersive exposure to operational tools enhances our capacity to manage real‑time threats.”
“Collaborative efforts like these foster sovereignty and resilience in digital defense.”
Actionable Takeaways
- Elevate Regional Cyber Education – Promote strategic institutions like CHEDS for training cyber leaders across MEA.
- Integrate Academia with Operations – Bridge think-tank insights with real-time operational exposure (like ANSSI-CI’s alert centre).
- Strengthen Cyber Diplomacy Networks – Scale bi-national exchanges to multi-country forums within ECOWAS and AU.
- Establish Joint Incident Response Protocols – Standardize cross-border coordination mechanisms for crisis management.
- Invest in Regional CERTs/SOCs – Develop shared Security Operations Centres across neighboring countries.
- Prioritize African-led Research – Support local cybersecurity research and threat intelligence through joint initiatives.
- Formulate Cyber Sovereignty Policy – Establish policies emphasizing self-reliant cybersecurity ecosystems.
- Share Best Practices among Agencies – Document and disseminate lessons learned from each engagement.
- Upgrade Detection Capabilities – Deploy advanced tools like SIEM and threat hunting in partner agencies.
- Facilitate Public-Private Collaboration – Involve telco and ICT companies in bilateral or regional cybersecurity planning.
Conclusion
This July 2025 engagement between Sénégal’s CHEDS and Côte d’Ivoire’s ANSSI-CI marks a defining moment in African cybersecurity cooperation. By aligning academic strategy with operational readiness, the partnership sets a benchmark for regional sovereignty and resilience. As West Africa and the broader MEA region grapple with expanding cyber risks, institutional bonds like these will be pivotal in shaping a safer, self-reliant digital future.
Sources
- “Recrudescence des menaces cyber : la Côte d’Ivoire et le Sénégal cherchent à bâtir une sécurité numérique résiliente”, Africa Cybersecurity Magazine, 28 July 2025. (Africa Cybersecurity Magazine)
- “Cybercriminalité en Côte d’Ivoire : l’État muscle sa riposte face à des menaces en pleine mutation”, Tech Griot, 13 June 2025. (TechGriot)
- “Cybersécurité : la Côte d’Ivoire renforce ses capacités au Sénégal”, Cybersecurity Magazine Africa, 13 March 2025. (Ciberobs)
- “Convention de Partenariat DCSSI/CHEDS”, stcc‑ssi.sn, (published within last six months). (stcc-ssi.sn)
