Cyber Ready

Despite steep losses suffered across Africa to cyber threats, spending towards the prevention of future cyber-attacks on the continent has not risen to meet the need for greater protection.

Written by Osaye Ajari

Nov 29, 2022

Africa’s Response to Growing Cyber Threats.ONYINYE DIKE, ART DIRECTOR

In October 2016, 1.5 million customers of Lonestar Cell MTN, a major local telecom service provider in Liberia, were unable to access network services. Internet connection was disconnected, leaving health providers, transportation, and financial institutions cut off from the network. Farmers were unable to check market updates and bank transactions repeatedly failed, which left businesses unable to fulfil demands and customers stranded. The country’s information minister, Eugene Nagbe, though in Paris at the time, attempted to remedy the situation but was unable to access his email or make any phone calls. As a last resort, he made an appeal on French radio, calling for international aid to resolve the issue.

Although service was eventually restored, what followed was an investigation and the apprehension of Daniel Kaye, a free agent British hacker, who claimed to have launched the attack at the behest of Cellcom, a rival company. The cyberattack, known as a Distributed Denial of Service or ‘DDoS’, would overwhelm Lonestar’s systems over a period of 6 months with requests until the network broke down.

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About the Author

Osaye Ajari

is a lawyer and writer interested in cyber law and intellectual property rights.

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Cyber Ready