The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is tightening the region’s digital defenses with the proposed launch of a Regional Cybersecurity Coordination Centre (RCCC) — a new hub designed to unify and strengthen how member states tackle cybercrime.
The plan, now under expert review at a three-day meeting in Lagos from September 15 to 17, 2025, signals ECOWAS’ intent to move beyond fragmented national responses and build a shared front against cyber threats that are fast undermining governance, economies, and security in the region.
According to the Commission, the RCCC will not override national authorities or Computer Security Incident Response Teams (CSIRTs).
Instead, it aims to fill the gaps between them — offering a framework for joint action, real-time intelligence sharing, and coordinated crisis response. The goal is simple but urgent: make West Africa harder to breach.
Officials say the draft model, presented in Lagos, draws on earlier consultations and is built to be both ambitious and realistic, structured in phases that allow gradual but steady implementation.
Cybercrime has already cost the region billions, with attackers exploiting weak systems and patchy cooperation between states. ECOWAS wants the RCCC to become the keystone of a more resilient digital ecosystem, one where borders don’t limit defenses and regional solidarity becomes the strongest weapon against cybercriminals.
The initiative is in line with Directive C/DIR.1/01/2021 on the ECOWAS Regional Cybersecurity and Cybercrime Strategy.
Source: Business Day
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