Applications Open for the AI Hub for Sustainable Development Cyber4Africa Programme

African artificial intelligence startups now have a unique opportunity to strengthen their cybersecurity capabilities, improve operational resilience, and prepare for sustainable growth through the AI Hub for Sustainable Development Cyber4Africa Programme.

The Cyber4Africa Programme is a collaborative initiative delivered by the AI Hub for Sustainable Development, Cyber 4.0, and Cisco Kenya. Designed specifically for Africa’s growing AI ecosystem, the programme aims to equip startups with the cybersecurity knowledge, technical support, and operational tools required to scale securely in increasingly complex digital environments.

As artificial intelligence solutions become more deeply integrated into critical sectors such as healthcare, financial services, government technology, energy systems, and digital infrastructure, cybersecurity has become a fundamental requirement for sustainable innovation. The Cyber4Africa Programme addresses this need by helping startups build security and trust into their products and operations from the beginning.

About the AI Hub for Sustainable Development

The AI Hub for Sustainable Development is a G7-endorsed initiative jointly led by the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) under the Italy-Africa Mattei Plan.

The Hub was established to foster transformative AI innovation across Africa by supporting entrepreneurs, innovators, startups, and ecosystem builders. Working with more than 130 innovators across 18 countries, the initiative seeks to accelerate AI-driven development and create solutions that address some of the continent’s most pressing challenges.

The Hub focuses on strengthening three key pillars:

Green compute infrastructure
Data ecosystems
Talent development

Through strategic partnerships involving African countries, Italy, the European Union, and G7 stakeholders, the Hub is creating an ecosystem where innovators can access resources, partnerships, and opportunities needed to build impactful AI solutions.

What is the Cyber4Africa Programme?

Cyber4Africa extends the broader AI Hub ecosystem by focusing specifically on cybersecurity and digital trust.

The programme recognizes that many promising AI startups face growing security challenges as they scale. These challenges include:

Data protection vulnerabilities
Cybersecurity threats
Infrastructure security risks
Regulatory compliance requirements
Operational security weaknesses
Trust and safety concerns within AI systems

To address these issues, Cyber4Africa helps startups integrate cybersecurity principles throughout the AI development lifecycle. The programme promotes a “safety-by-design” approach that embeds security considerations into products, platforms, and services from the earliest stages of development.

By participating in the programme, startups can strengthen their resilience while increasing investor confidence, customer trust, and readiness for expansion into new markets.

Programme Objectives

The Cyber4Africa Programme seeks to:

Improve cybersecurity awareness among African AI startups.
Strengthen digital resilience across emerging AI businesses.
Enhance data protection and privacy practices.
Support secure infrastructure development.
Enable safer deployment of AI technologies.
Foster sustainable growth within Africa’s AI ecosystem.
Build trust and security as foundational elements of innovation.

Key Benefits for Selected Startups

Selected participants will gain access to structured support designed to improve both technical and organizational cybersecurity readiness.

Benefits include:

1. Cyber Resilience and Awareness

Participants will receive support aimed at strengthening organizational cybersecurity awareness and preparedness.

Areas covered may include:

Cyber risk identification
Security best practices
Threat awareness
Incident preparedness
Security governance

2. Training and Capacity Building

Startups will benefit from specialized cybersecurity training designed to improve internal capabilities and strengthen long-term resilience.

Training may help teams:

Understand emerging cyber threats
Improve security management practices
Build secure AI systems
Enhance operational security procedures
Develop stronger compliance frameworks

3. Technical and Operational Support

The programme provides practical assistance to help startups address cybersecurity challenges affecting their products and operations.

Support may include:

Security assessments
Technical guidance
Infrastructure security recommendations
Data protection support
Operational resilience strategies

4. Access to Industry Expertise

Participants become part of a wider ecosystem involving:

AI Hub partners
Cybersecurity experts
Industry leaders
Innovation ecosystem stakeholders
Public and private sector collaborators

5. Specialized Training in Kenya

A unique benefit is available to Kenya-based innovators.

Eligible startups from Kenya will receive access to on-site training opportunities at the Cisco Cybersecurity Training Centre located in Nairobi, Kenya.

This provides hands-on learning experiences and exposure to industry-standard cybersecurity practices.

Priority Sectors

While startups from various sectors may apply, priority consideration is given to organizations operating in:

Healthcare
Financial Technology (Fintech)
Government Technology (GovTech)
Energy
AI Infrastructure

These sectors are particularly important because of their growing reliance on AI systems and their increased exposure to cybersecurity risks.

Why Cybersecurity Matters for AI Startups

Artificial intelligence solutions increasingly process large amounts of sensitive data and support critical decision-making processes.

Without adequate cybersecurity protections, startups may face:

Data breaches
Financial losses
Regulatory penalties
Service disruptions
Reputational damage
Loss of customer trust

The Cyber4Africa Programme helps startups proactively address these risks while positioning themselves for sustainable and secure growth.

Countries Represented in the Programme Ecosystem

The application process specifically recognizes startups operating across numerous African countries, including:

Algeria
Angola
Côte d’Ivoire
Democratic Republic of Congo
Egypt
Ethiopia
Gabon
Ghana
Kenya
Mauritania
Morocco
Mozambique
Republic of Congo
Rwanda
Senegal
Tanzania
Tunisia
Zambia

Startups operating in other African countries are also encouraged to apply where eligible.

Application Deadline

Application Deadline: 8 June 2026 at 23:59 Central European Time (CET).

Interested startups should submit their applications before the deadline to ensure consideration.

APPLY HERE

Final Thoughts

Africa’s AI ecosystem is expanding rapidly, creating exciting opportunities for innovators developing solutions that can transform industries and improve lives. However, sustainable growth requires strong cybersecurity foundations.

The AI Hub for Sustainable Development Cyber4Africa Programme provides African AI startups with access to training, technical support, resilience-building resources, and expert guidance needed to strengthen cybersecurity readiness and scale confidently.

For startups operating in sectors where data protection, trust, and digital resilience are essential, this programme offers an opportunity to build stronger systems, safer products, and more sustainable pathways for growth.

For more information about this opportunity, visit here.

Discover more Global Fellowship Opportunities on OFY here.