African AI Startups Can Now Apply for Free Cybersecurity Training Under the Cyber4Africa Programme
African AI startups now have a free, structured pathway to strengthen their cybersecurity foundations, as applications open for the Cyber4Africa Programme — a joint initiative by the AI Hub for Sustainable Development, CYBER 4.0 Cybersecurity Competence Center, and Cisco Kenya.
The six-month programme, running from 1 July 2026, is designed to help founders and technical teams embed security-by-design from the ground up — building the trust layer that makes AI adoption viable across the continent.
As Africa’s AI ecosystems expand rapidly, cybersecurity has shifted from a nice-to-have to a core infrastructure concern. The programme responds directly to that gap by pairing tailored cybersecurity assessments with expert-led training delivered through Cyber 4.0’s specialist network and the Cisco Cybersecurity Training Center in Nairobi. Selected startups will also receive hands-on support to strengthen their security posture and operational resilience.
“Artificial intelligence offers great opportunities for growth, but it requires a solid security foundation,” said Matteo Lucchetti, Director of Cyber 4.0. “With Cyber4Africa, we want to provide startups with concrete tools and operational expertise so that cybersecurity becomes an integral part of development processes from the earliest stages.”
The programme can accommodate up to 120 African startups and focuses specifically on those handling sensitive data in high-stakes sectors. Eligible sectors include healthcare and digital health, fintech and financial services, govtech and civic technology, energy and climate technology, and AI infrastructure and data platforms.
To qualify, startups must be at MVP stage or beyond and operating within Africa. Participating startups come from Mattei Plan countries including Kenya, Egypt, Ethiopia, and Ghana.
The programme champions secure-by-design principles and aims to build local technical skills and talent pipelines through hands-on training, in cooperation with the Cisco Cybersecurity Training Center in Nairobi.
The deadline to apply is 8 June 2026.
