Africa Cyber Defense Forum

What Africa Cyber Defense Forum does

Africa Cyber Defense Forum (ACDF) is a Kenya-headquartered nonprofit (founded 2019/2020, 101-250 employees) that operates as the premier continental convening platform for public-private cooperation in cybersecurity across Africa. Its portfolio centers on a recurring annual flagship forum — currently held in Kigali and slated for Nairobi in 2026 — complemented by regional Business Series, specialized training workshops, the CyberGen youth training program, the Cyberlympics online competition, a Startup Hub for cyber-defense startups, the African Alliance of Cybersecurity Executives (A²CE) policy think tank, and annual Barometer Reports. The organization engages African ministers, national CERTs, cybersecurity authorities (e.g., Rwanda NCSA), CISOs, law enforcement, and executives alongside continental institutions including the African Telecommunications Union, AFRALTI, and FIRST.

ACDF's revenue model is event-driven and multi-stream: tiered sponsorship packages ranging from Bronze ($12,000) to Strategic ($80,000) providing branding, speaking slots, exhibition space, and networking access; ticket sales via CyBoma Pass, Government Pass, and Professionals Pass at $200, with a subsidized $25 student Digital Pathfinder Pass; premium $1,000 two-day technical workshops on digital forensics, ICS/SCADA cybersecurity defense, and RF spectrum sharing; and program/training revenues from partnerships such as CyberGen cohorts with Morocco Trust and MentorHer Africa. Underlying technology is non-proprietary in the conventional sense — a website, webinar infrastructure, and the Cyberlympics virtual lab platform — with no disclosed AI, API, or software-as-a-service product. Distribution combines direct enterprise sales of sponsorship packages, self-serve ticketing for individuals, channelized regional Business Series, and referral amplification through an influential advisory board spanning ATU, AFRALTI, Nike, Deloitte, and Standard Chartered.

The organization is privately held with no identified external investment, founded and led by CEO Gilbert Nyandeje. Its operating geographies span Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Botswana, Morocco, Egypt, and Malawi, with planned expansion via the Nairobi 2026 forum and CyberGen pilot-country rollout. Strategic positioning emphasizes African cyber sovereignty, regional CERT-to-CERT cooperation, and addressing the cited $4 billion annual cybercrime cost and 80% absence of robust cybersecurity laws across African nations.

Name

Africa Cyber Defense Forum

Legal name

Africa Cyber Defense Forum

Website

https://africacyberdefenseforum.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Africa Cyber Defense Forum (ACDF) is a Kenya-based nonprofit that convenes Africa's leading annual cybersecurity forum and adjacent programs (CyberGen, Cyberlympics, Barometer Reports), serving African governments, national CERTs, C-suite executives, and cybersecurity professionals across seven pilot countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cybersecurity Events and Training Services

NAICS

Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920), Business Associations (813910)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), International Affairs (9721)

akta.pro primary industry

Digital Policy, Data Governance & Cybersecurity Standards Cooperation (BPADANAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cybersecurity Learning Platforms (EDAFANAF), Privacy, Data Protection & Cyber Governance (GRC) (BPAHAFAF), Cyber Defense & Information Security (National Security) (BPAIAHAE)

Keywords

• Cybersecurity conferences
• Cyber defense training
• Cybersecurity workshops
• Cyber capacity building
• Cybersecurity competitions

Headquarters

HQ city

Nairobi

HQ country

Kenya

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Event Tickets and Passes: ACDF generates revenue through sale of various event passes including CyBoma Pass ($200), Government Pass ($200), Professionals Pass ($200), and Student Digital Pathfinder Pass ($25). These grants access to main conferences, exhibitions, gala dinners, and networking events.
2. Sponsorship Packages: Corporate sponsorships ranging from Bronze ($12,000) to Strategic ($80,000) tier packages. Sponsors receive branding, speaking slots, exhibition space, marketing exposure, and networking opportunities.
3. Professional Training Workshops: Revenue from professional development workshops such as Digital Forensic Tools and Techniques ($1,000), Industrial Control Systems Cyber Security Defense ($1,000), and RF Spectrum Sharing workshops priced at $1,000 per person.
4. Training Program Partnerships: CyberGen program partnerships with organizations like Morocco Trust and MentorHer Africa to train cybersecurity professionals across Africa, potentially generating revenue through program fees and certifications.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Africa Cyber Defense Forum (ACDF) operates a continental platform for public-private cooperation in cybersecurity, hosting annual forums, regional business series, professional workshops, and an online competition. The organization sells conference passes (CyBoma, Government, Professionals, Digital Pathfinder), corporate sponsorship packages, fee-based training programs such as CyberGen and the Africa Cyber Resilience Program, specialized workshops (ICS cybersecurity, digital forensics, RF spectrum sharing), and publishes annual Barometer research reports focused on African cybersecurity capacity building.

Product overview

Africa Cyber Defense Forum (ACDF) operates as a continental platform for public-private cooperation in cybersecurity. The portfolio includes the main annual ACDF conference (featuring the CyBoma Pass, Professionals Pass, Government Pass, and Digital Pathfinder Pass for students), CyberGen youth training program, Cyberlympics competition, Digital Business Series, Africa Cyber Defense Fellowship, Africa Cyber Resilience Program, African Alliance of Cybersecurity Executives (A²CE) think tank, and Startup Hub for cyber defense startups. Additionally, paid workshops are offered on specialized topics including ICS cybersecurity, digital forensics, and RF spectrum sharing. Barometer Reports serve as annual research publications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CyBoma Pass: Conference pass/ticket for attending ACDF events, providing full conference access, exhibition access, gala dinner, and meals.
• CyberGen
• Cyberlympics
• Digital Business Series
• Africa Cyber Defense Fellowship
• Africa Cyber Resilience Program (ACRP)
• African Alliance of Cybersecurity Executives (A²CE)
• Startup Hub

Products and services

• Africa Cyber Defense Forum Annual Conference Continental flagship conference held annually in African cities, convening 100+ delegates including policymakers, technology experts, CEOs, civil society, and C-suite executives to discuss African cybersecurity, threat landscapes, and policy frameworks across multiple days of keynotes, panels, exhibitions, gala dinner, and golf open.
• ACDF Conference Passes (CyBoma, Government, Professionals, Digital Pathfinder) Tiered ticket products providing access to the ACDF annual forum: CyBoma Pass ($200) and Professionals Pass ($200) for full conference, exhibition, gala dinner, breakfast, and lunch; Government Pass ($200) for government officials; Digital Pathfinder Pass ($25) for students providing main conference and exhibition access.
• CyberGen Training Program Four-month hybrid learning program equipping African youth aged 18-30 with hands-on cybersecurity skills covering threat analysis, network security, and ethical hacking, paired with internship opportunities and certifications.
• Cyberlympics Online cybersecurity competition where teams from across Africa compete in 24-hour hands-on scenarios covering offensive cyber-warfare, digital forensics, cyber defense, cryptography, web application exploitation, malware analysis, and reverse engineering.
• Digital Business Series Smaller thematic forums targeting C-suite groups, focusing on key industry issues and enabling targeted strategic business environment conversations that culminate into the main annual forum.
• Africa Cyber Defense Fellowship Fellowship program supporting research across Africa in the area of cyber defense, geared toward researchers and thought leaders contributing to the continental cybersecurity agenda.
• Africa Cyber Defense Resilience Program (ACRP) Capacity-building program designed to build competence for government agencies including law enforcement, the judiciary, National CERTs/CIRTs, and national intelligence units across Africa in protecting critical infrastructure.
• African Alliance of Cybersecurity Executives (A²CE) Policy think tank developing and connecting African cybersecurity executives to achieve sustainable technology benefits through a business-conscious platform supporting mutual progress across the continent.
• Startup Hub Showcase platform enabling innovative African startups focused on cyber defense to present their solutions to potential partners and investors at ACDF events.
• Industrial Control Systems (ICS) Cyber Security Defense Workshop Two-day intensive workshop priced at $1,000 covering industrial control systems and SCADA/OT cybersecurity threats and defenses, led by Daniel Ehrenreich, targeting cybersecurity professionals working with operational technology environments.
• Digital Forensic Tools and Techniques Workshop Two-day masterclass priced at $1,000 covering digital forensics including malware analysis, phishing attacks, and BEC scams, led by Tunji Adefehinti and Giles Otomewo, targeting incident responders and security analysts.
• Enabling Capacity and Adoption of RF Spectrum Sharing for Africa Workshop Workshop priced at $1,000 covering Dynamic Spectrum Access (DSA) technology for RF spectrum management, led by Leonard Mabele, targeting African regulators, telecom professionals, and spectrum policy stakeholders.
• ACDF Barometer Reports Annual research publications summarizing expert insights on African national cybersecurity, threat landscape, risk management, cybersecurity governance, data protection, and privacy, distributed as authoritative reference reports for the African cybersecurity community.

Quantifiable outcome

• CyberGen aims to train 100,000 African youth with hands-on cybersecurity skills, certifications, and employment opportunities
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• FIRST (Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 July 2024Partnership to host incident response capacity-building workshop 'Detecting Attacker TTPs and IOCs with Open Source Tools' and Cyber Drill at ACDF 2024 in Kigali. FIRST is a global community of incident response teams from over 715 organizations across 100+ countries.
• MentorHer AfricacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 May 2024Collaboration to launch CyberGen program in Rwanda with initial cohort of 20 Rwandan girls. MentorHer provides mentorship while CyberGen delivers hands-on cybersecurity training. Partnership aims to bridge gender gap in cybersecurity workforce.
• Morocco Trust (MorTRUST)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 June 2023MOU signed to pilot CyberGen Program training 100,000 cybersecurity professionals across Africa. MorTRUST, a professional cybersecurity association in Morocco, will support program development, training of trainers, and provision of internationally recognized certifications. Witnessed by DGSSI and ADD (Moroccan digital development agency).
• Group-IBsecondaryGTM or Marketing Partner · 17 June 2022Sponsorship of ACDF 2022. Group-IB, a global cybersecurity leader headquartered in Singapore, supports forum to foster innovation and public-private cooperation in the cyber domain across Middle East, Africa, and Turkey.
• afriVADsecondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 17 June 2022Sponsorship of ACDF 2022. afriVAD, a leading regional IT solutions provider, transfers latest IT, data center, and cybersecurity technologies to African continent through innovative distribution.
• CompTIAcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 26 May 2021Sponsorship and facilitation of CyberLympics 2021 pre-qualifier. CompTIA provides virtual competition rooms and cybersecurity platform. Podium finishers receive CompTIA Security+ exam vouchers and CertMaster Learn access.
• Centre for Strategic Cyberspace + International Studies (CSCIS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 May 2021Strategic alliance to offer cybersecurity and cyber-defense thought leadership to public and private sectors through engaging dialogues, fact-based research, and policy recommendations. CSCIS brings international cyberspace security expertise and global perspective.
• WALLIXsecondaryGTM or Marketing Partner · 30 March 2021Launch of first Exclusive Digital Business Series on 'Ensuring Zero Trust with Privileged Access Management'. WALLIX, a European identity and access security specialist, co-hosts virtual roundtable for CISOs and IT security managers.
• CISO ForumsecondaryGTM or Marketing Partner · 2 February 2021Strategic partnership with professional community of security leaders in public and private sectors across EMEA region. Aims to deliver transformative programs, next-generation content, and connect communities on international standards and best practices.
• EnovisesecondaryGTM or Marketing Partner · 24 June 2020Enovise, an award-winning cybersecurity firm headquartered in Nairobi with offices in Kenya, Botswana, Zambia, Malawi, and Rwanda, presented at Virtual ACDF 2020. Provides penetration testing, vulnerability assessments, incident response, and SOC management.
• African Telecommunications Union (ATU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerATU is a key partner organization. Secretary-General John Omo serves as prominent speaker and supporter of ACDF initiatives. ATU-AFRALTI collaboration indicated through partner logos on website.
• National Cyber Security Authority, Rwanda (NCSA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCSA Rwanda is a key partner and hosting authority for ACDF events. CEO David Kanamugire participates as speaker. Rwanda Ministry of ICT and Innovation (Minister Paula Ingabire) also partners on forum activities.
• AFRALTI (Africa Telecommunications Training)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAFRALTI, led by Director and CEO William Baraza who serves as ACDF Chairman, is a key institutional partner providing training and capacity building support. AFRALTI logos appear on ACDF website as partner.
• ThreatsealsecondaryTechnology or IntegrationPartner logo displayed on ACDF website. Threatseal is a cybersecurity technology provider that supports ACDF initiatives.
• UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK International Development funding supports FIRST Africa Regional Liaison Initiative and incident response training at ACDF events as part of Africa Cyber Programme. Andy Chadwick, formerly Head of Africa Cyber Network, joined ACDF as Director of Global Partnerships.
• Global Forum on Cyber Expertise (GFCE)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerMartin Koyabe, Senior Project Manager and Lead AU-GFCE Collaboration Project, participates as speaker at ACDF 2024, indicating collaborative relationship.
• TryHackMesecondaryTechnology or IntegrationOnline cybersecurity platform partnered with CompTIA to provide virtual competition rooms for CyberLympics 2021 pre-qualifier rounds.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• RSA Conference: The world's largest and most established cybersecurity conference; competes for global enterprise security marketing budgets and provides a benchmark against which ACDF's forum sponsorship pricing is set.
• SANS Institute: Global cybersecurity training and certification heavyweight with deep penetration of African enterprise CISOs through SANS events and certifications — competes for paid-training wallet share with ACDF's workshop and CyberGen programs.
• Black Hat: Premier global cybersecurity technical conference with a similarly practitioner-and-executive audience mix; competes for sponsor mindshare and pan-regional event authority in the cyber domain.

Regional players

• GISEC (Gulf Information Security Expo & Conference): Middle East and Africa's flagship information-security event organized by Dubai World Trade Centre — comparable scale, regional focus, and sponsorship-heavy revenue model serving government CISOs and security vendors.

Direct peers

• GITEX Africa: Morocco-based pan-African technology exhibition with a significant cybersecurity track and similar mix of government co-hosting, sponsorship tiers, and continental buyer attendance.
• Cyber Africa Forum: Pan-African cybersecurity conference and exhibition with a similar public-private convening model for government officials, CISOs, and vendors across African markets.
• CISO Forum (EMEA): Active strategic partner of ACDF and a peer community of senior security leaders across EMEA, running comparable CISO-level convenings, roundtables, and best-practice programs.

Others

• African Telecommunications Union (ATU): Continental policy body and active ACDF strategic partner — relevant as the institutional backbone ACDF convenes around rather than a direct competitor, but useful for benchmarking public-sector cyber-policy reach.

Emerging players

• Cybrary: Global cybersecurity skills and certification learning platform — comparable online learning infrastructure to ACDF's CyberGen program, with practitioner certification pathways.
• AfricaCERT: Pan-African forum of Computer Emergency Response Teams operating in the same continental cyber-capacity-building space as ACDF's Africa Cyber Resilience Program, with similar government and CERT audience overlap.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/AcdfNetworks
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCpQO3KLurHsP3yqKjtUzjMQ/featured
• Facebookfacebook.com/ACDFNetworks
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/africa-cyber-defense-forum-acdf

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Africa Cyber Defense Forum