U.S. technology company Cybastion has opened a Cisco-powered cybersecurity center in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, as governments and businesses across Africa face mounting pressure to protect digital infrastructure from cyberattacks. The facility will serve West and Central Africa, combining threat monitoring, incident response, technology demonstrations and professional training.

The Cisco Cybersecurity Center at Cybastion is managed and operated by the U.S. company under a partnership involving Cisco and Côte d’Ivoire’s Ministry of Women, Family and Children. The initiative is designed to strengthen the country’s cyber defense capabilities while developing a workforce equipped to secure increasingly connected economies.

Abidjan targets regional leadership

The center houses a Security Operations Center (SOC) to monitor digital systems for potential threats and a Security Incident Response Team to investigate and respond to cyberattacks. It will also provide cybersecurity certification training, positioning Abidjan as a regional destination for digital security expertise and professional development.

Djibril Ouattara, Côte d’Ivoire’s minister of digital transition and technological innovation, said the facility would strengthen national cybersecurity readiness and support the country’s ambitions to become a regional center of expertise.

He said the partnership would improve the country’s ability to respond to cyberthreats while developing specialized skills needed to support digital transformation across West and Central Africa.

200,000 Africans targeted for training

The launch builds on Cisco’s digital skills development initiatives across the continent. Through its Networking Academy, the technology company says it has trained more than 3.3 million learners in Africa over 25 years, supported by its Country Digital Acceleration program, which operates in seven African countries.

Cybastion, Cisco and the Ivorian government are also advancing the Africa DigiEmpower program, which aims to train 200,000 young people and women across 10 regions by 2030. The curriculum covers cybersecurity, computer networking and artificial intelligence, with implementation handled by THEYA Foundation, Cybastion’s philanthropic organization.

Nassénéba Touré, Côte d’Ivoire’s minister of women, family and children, said expanding access to cybersecurity training would strengthen the participation of women and young people in the country’s digital economy.

Cisco backs Africa’s digital workforce

Cisco Executive Vice President and Chief People, Policy and Purpose Officer Fran Katsoudas said investment in digital infrastructure must be matched by people capable of operating, securing and developing the technology. She pointed to Africa’s young population as an important source of talent for the continent’s expanding digital economy.

Cybastion President and CEO Thierry Wandji said African countries needed cybersecurity capabilities close to their operations as governments and businesses adopted artificial intelligence and digitized public services.

The center brings together Cisco technology and local cyber defense expertise, including incident response capabilities and structured training pathways for people seeking careers in cybersecurity, Wandji said.

U.S. companies expand presence

The launch also highlights growing commercial cooperation between American technology companies and Côte d’Ivoire. U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Junaid Munir said the facility demonstrated the contribution of American businesses to the country’s technology sector, including through investment, advanced cybersecurity solutions and job creation.

Cybastion delivers digital transformation projects across Africa, covering cybersecurity, e-government, secure infrastructure, reliable energy and workforce development. Founded and led by Wandji, a former U.S. Navy technical director of cybersecurity, the company focuses on helping governments build secure digital systems and strengthen technological independence.

For Cisco, the Abidjan facility extends its involvement in Africa beyond networking infrastructure into cybersecurity and professional training, as demand grows for specialists capable of protecting financial systems, government platforms and businesses moving critical operations online.