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Closing Ceremony of CyberBridge Held in Rome: A Strategic Training Project for Digital Resilience in Africa
The project was funded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI), developed in partnership with the Italian National Cybersecurity Agency (ACN), and implemented with the operational support of Leonardo’s Cyber & Security Solutions Division.
On 27 May 2026, the closing event of “CyberBridge – Strategic Training Project for Digital Resilience in Africa” was held at the headquarters of the Med-Or Italian Foundation in Rome. The initiative, aimed at strengthening institutional and operational capacities in the field of cybersecurity, involved 30 selected public officials from nine Sub-Saharan African countries.
The project was funded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI), developed in partnership with the Italian National Cybersecurity Agency (ACN), and implemented with the operational support of Leonardo’s Cyber & Security Solutions Division.
CyberBridge forms part of Italy’s broader strategic cooperation and institutional capacity-building efforts with Africa, with the objective of enhancing international dialogue and promoting greater digital resilience among partner countries.
The initiative was conceived in response to the growing importance of cybersecurity for Africa’s economic, institutional, and infrastructural development, within a context marked by rapid digital transformation and an increasing number of cyber threats targeting governments, public institutions, and critical infrastructure.
The programme itself strengthened the technical and strategic competencies of the participating public officials while also fostering closer international cooperation in the field of digital security.
It was structured in several phases:
· an initial institutional and technical assessment phase, carried out also through the involvement of Italian diplomatic missions in the partner countries;
· an introductory online module covering the fundamentals of cybersecurity;
· an in-person specialist training phase hosted by Leonardo’s Cyber & Security Solutions Division, focused on defensive security through immersive laboratory activities, operational simulations, and advanced cyber exercises;
· a specialist module at the National Cybersecurity Agency dedicated to cyber diplomacy, international norms applicable to cyberspace, and public policies for digital security, followed by a visit to the Italian Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT);
· a technical visit to Leonardo’s Global Cybersec Center in Chieti.
In particular, at the National Cybersecurity Agency, participants explored both the Italian and European cybersecurity architectures, with a focus on governance, coordination, and incident response models. The programme also addressed the management of cyberattacks and the strengthening of operational capabilities through the analysis of case studies and coordinated response procedures.
The project aims to contribute to the development of safer and more resilient digital ecosystems in partner countries by fostering a network of African public officials capable of supporting the development of national and regional cybersecurity strategies.
Within this framework, the Med-Or Italian Foundation continues to expand its role across the African continent, where it operates to strengthen institutional partnerships and promote high-impact initiatives in key economic and industrial sectors for development. Through structured programmes of advanced training and institutional capacity building, as demonstrated by the CyberBridge project, the Foundation contributes to the development of local expertise and capabilities.
The Foundation continues to strengthen its presence in Africa. On 8 February 2026, it marked a further strategic milestone with the inauguration of its Africa headquarters in Nairobi through the establishment of the Med-Or Italian Foundation for Africa (Med-Or Africa). Med-Or Africa now serves as the Foundation’s main operational hub for coordinating and implementing activities across the continent.
Today, the Foundation is engaged in an expanding portfolio of initiatives in Africa focusing on cybersecurity, the blue economy, sustainable agriculture, critical materials, climate resilience, and diplomatic training.
