Cybersecurity company Kaspersky and African Union policing institution AFRIPOL have signed a cooperation agreement aimed at preventing and fighting cybercrime.

Covering a period of five years, the agreement formalises and facilitates cooperation between the company and the law enforcement agency in sharing threat intelligence data on the latest cybercriminal activities.

The landscape of cyberthreats in Africa has constantly been evolving, with the continent having been especially susceptible to industrial threats.

The region, in particular, has the highest share of Industrial Control Systems (ICS) computers on which malicious objects were blocked by Kaspersky solutions, compared with other regions, Kaspersky said in a statement.

The agreement, which strengthens the existing relationship between the two organisations, provides for enhanced data exchange on cyberthreats and cybercrime trends, with Kaspersky handing over such data to AFRIPOL for further criminal intelligence analysis.

Another aspect of collaboration includes the provision of assistance, know-how and technical knowledge in information security analysis by Kaspersky’s vastly experienced teams of experts.

Kaspersky and AFRIPOL have a long record of joint cooperation projects and have been active contributors to the assessment of the African threat landscape. They have also been active participants in global policing institution INTERPOL-led actions to disrupt cybercrime on the African continent, namely Africa Cyber Surge Operation and Africa Cyber Surge Operation II.

The agreement was signed at AFRIPOL’s headquarters in Algiers on November 18 by Kaspersky founder and CEO Eugene Kaspersky and AFRIPOL acting executive director Jalel Chelba.

“An effective fight against cybercrime is inconceivable without cooperation. Africa’s vigorous cyberthreat environment requires enhanced collaboration to safeguard against potential risks.

“Our company has always put collaborative effort first by sharing its expertise with the widest possible range of stakeholders, namely the security expert community, law enforcement agencies, and also the general public to empower them with knowledge about acute cyberthreats,” said Kaspersky.

“Hence, by advancing our cooperation with AFRIPOL and by equipping the agency with the information and technology required for responding to emerging cyberthreats, we hope to enhance our contribution in fostering greater cyber-resilience and a safer cyberspace for all,” he said.

“This agreement represents a major step forward in strengthening Africa's digital defences. By leveraging Kaspersky's expertise and resources, we are not only enhancing AFRIPOL's ability to counter cyberthreats but also contributing to the protection of a secure digital space for all African citizens,” said Chelba.

“This collaboration brings substantial added value to both our organisations, as it strengthens AFRIPOL's operational framework in combating cybercrime while allowing Kaspersky to play a key role in the digital security of a strategically important continent in terms of cybersecurity. This is a significant step towards resilience and digital trust in Africa by mobilising the best of both partners.”

The two organisations have also been advocating for greater digital trust, with AFRIPOL having endorsed Kaspersky’s first Transparency Center in the African region in Rwanda, the company added.