Washington, D.C., 16 December 2022
Cybastion, an emerging leader in the field of cybersecurity, took center stage at side events of the U.S. – Africa Leaders Summit. The cybersecurity firm was also the platinum sponsor for the US – Africa Business Forum event. (USABF).
US-Africa Business Forum
The USABF event took place on the Summit’s second day (December 14). It was hosted by the White House, the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the Corporate Council on Africa, in partnership with the Prosper Africa initiative, under the theme “Partnering for a Prosperous and Resilient Future.”
Speaking at the USABF event on, President Biden announced over $15 billion in two-way trade and investment commitments, deals, and partnerships, that advance key priorities, including sustainable energy, health systems, agribusiness, digital connectivity, infrastructure, and finance. He said, “Altogether, the forum has spurred more than $15 billion in new deals, which will turn, lift up, and improve the lives of people all across the continent. And that’s the biggest deal of all.”
Deal Room -Cisco & Cybastion: Bolstering Cyber Security In West Africa
CEO and President of Cybastion, Dr. Thierry Wandji, along with Fran Katsoudas, Executive Vice President and Chief People, Policy & Purpose Officer, Cisco featured in the Prosper Africa Deal Room, where commitments from the American private sector to advance mutually beneficial partnerships that create jobs and drive inclusive and sustainable growth on both sides of the Atlantic were showcased.
U.S.-based multinational tech firm, Cisco, in collaboration with Cybastion, are facilitating major cybersecurity export contracts in Niger, Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Congo Brazzaville, Benin, and Cameroon, totaling $858 million. As improved cybersecurity becomes an increasingly important priority worldwide, it is vital that emerging economies are protected from online threats. A powerful combination of American ICT capabilities has been assembled to embrace Africa’s multiple digital opportunities and challenges, leveraging the best of U.S. technology with insights and customization from the African-American diaspora. Watch the full Deal Room announcement below.
The Cybastion-Cisco offerings, in concert with other U.S. technology and services providers, offer superior solutions, genuine network integrity and substantial training opportunities and workforce development, anchored by the on-ground intimacy which Cybastion brings as a diaspora company.
And in a major coup for Cybastion, President Biden went on to mention Cybastion in his speech at the USABF saying, “Cisco Systems and Cybastion, a diaspora-owned small business, is jointly announcing $800 million in new contracts to protect African countries from cyber threats.”
This incredible feat was featured in major news media within the US and Africa, including VOAAfrique, NYtimes, France24 and AllAfrica. Read more about the commitments in the President’s full remarks here.
Panel Discussion Feature – USABF
CEO and President of Cybastion, Dr Thierry Wandji, also spoke at the USABF panel on Advancing Digital Connectivity: Partnerships to
Enable Inclusive Growth Through Technology. The session discussed opportunities and challenges for the U.S. and Africa to better collaborate tostrengthen Africa’s dynamic digital economy, expand internet infrastructure, and advance inclusive, secure, and sustainable connectivity. The panel also discussed how to improve digital skills and literacy, including MSMEs, and foster an enabling environment that maximizes the potential of the African Union’s Digital Transformational Strategy to create an inclusive, secure digital market in Africa by 2030. Watch the full panel session below.
Cybastion Deal Signing Ceremony
On the margin of the Summit, Cybastion signed deals with four African countries, Cote d’Ivoire, Benin, Burkina Faso and Congo, and Coris Bank. Deal signing ceremonies took place at events hosted by the US Chamber of Commerce, where Cybastion is a board member. These contracts are set to bolster the extension of digital platforms with robust cybersecurity protection, and will be a driver for economic development and investment, organizational transparency, and human capacity building.
About Cybastion
Cybastion, a one-stop shop for all cybersecurity needs, offers cybersecurity solutions, infrastructure, and digital technologies. The company is headquartered in Durham, North Carolina and has a large footprint in Africa, working in 8 countries. Cybastion seeks to bridge the gap between Africa’s cybersecurity and more developed countries with cybersecurity solutions, infrastructure, and digital technologies.
Cybastion’s work in building capacity in Africa is particularly important, because as President Biden says, “When Africa succeeds, the United States succeeds; quite frankly, the whole world succeeds as well.”
Author: Emana Shunnom is Cybastion's Senior Policy Manager with extensive experience working with the Federal Government of Nigeria and the U.S. In her role, she leads projects at the intersection of policy, technology, and government relations and manages communication and outreach efforts for Cybastion's Business Strategy and Government Affairs department.
