ABUJA/Nigeria: The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has taken a major step toward strengthening cybersecurity capacity across the region with the launch of a groundbreaking Training of Trainers (ToT) Programme on Cybersecurity and Cyber Diplomacy. The initiative, held from November 10 to 13, 2025, in Praia, Cabo Verde, marks the first time a Regional Economic Community has institutionalised cyber diplomacy training within foreign service education.
The programme is designed to address growing capacity-building needs within diplomatic academies and training institutes across West Africa, ensuring that the region is better equipped to respond to evolving cyber threats. The in-person workshop concluded a two-part training series that began with a four-week virtual course in September, where participants were introduced to key concepts in cybersecurity and cyber diplomacy.
The final workshop emphasised practical, hands-on methods, enabling participants to develop essential subject-matter knowledge alongside strong pedagogical skills. With the training now completed, certified trainers from ECOWAS diplomatic academies and institutions are prepared to design and deliver home-grown courses, reinforcing long-term sustainability and regional expertise.
The programme is the result of a strategic partnership between ECOWAS and the German Federal Foreign Office, with support from the European Union. It was co-implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and the Diplo Foundation, and co-hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, and Regional Integration of Cabo Verde.
According to ECOWAS, the collaboration underscores the organisation’s commitment to strengthening regional cyber resilience and enhancing cooperation among member states at a time when cyber threats continue to evolve across the globe.
