CyberSafe Foundation, with funding support from Google.org, has announced the launch of Resilio Africa, a three-year cybersecurity resilience initiative aimed at reducing the growing risk of cyberattacks on community institutions across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Unveiled on December 12, 2025, in Lagos, the project targets the protection of critical community infrastructure in Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana and South Africa. Through the programme, 200 Critical Community Institutions (CCIs) will receive free cybersecurity tools, risk assessments, threat intelligence and incident response frameworks. The initiative is expected to protect more than two million people and secure over 15 million public records, positioning it as one of the most ambitious community-focused cybersecurity interventions on the continent.
Speaking on the partnership, Haviva Kohl, Senior Program Manager at Google.org, said secure digital systems are fundamental to inclusive growth. She noted that Google.org’s support reflects a shared commitment to empowering communities and safeguarding institutions that provide essential services, adding that Resilio Africa will enable community organisations to operate safely in an increasingly digital environment.
CyberSafe Foundation highlighted that critical community institutions across Sub-Saharan Africa are increasingly targeted by cybercriminals, despite having limited capacity to defend themselves. These institutions often manage large volumes of sensitive personal data but operate outdated systems, lack cybersecurity awareness and function without dedicated security budgets. According to INTERPOL, Africa recorded a 23 per cent increase in ransomware attacks in 2023, with public and nonprofit institutions among the most affected.
Data from the International Telecommunication Union’s Global Cybersecurity Index further shows that more than 60 per cent of African countries fall within the “low commitment” category for national cybersecurity readiness. This gap has made institutions vulnerable to ransomware, phishing, data breaches and denial-of-service attacks, disrupting public services and eroding trust.
Country-specific data paints a similar picture. In Kenya, more than 114 cyberattacks targeting CCIs were recorded within the first eight months of 2024, followed by a 201 per cent increase in cyber incidents by the first quarter of 2025. In Nigeria, several government and healthcare systems still rely on unencrypted communication protocols, while institutions in Ghana and South Africa face comparable threats with limited response capacity.
Resilio Africa will address these challenges by strengthening institutional cyber resilience through tailored technical support, customised response playbooks and over 10,000 hours of pro bono cybersecurity consulting. The project will also focus on human capacity development, delivering tiered training programmes for executives, IT teams and general staff, with more than 4,500 employees and decision-makers expected to benefit.
Confidence Staveley, Founder and Executive Director of CyberSafe Foundation, said Africa’s digital transformation cannot succeed if communities remain exposed to cyber risks. She noted that with Google.org’s support, the initiative will scale a proven capacity-building model that helps critical institutions protect the people they serve and preserve trust in digital public systems.
Applications to participate in the initiative are currently open, with eligible institutions invited to complete an online interest form via the programme’s website.