Intelligent CIO Africa Issue 111 | Page 9

NEWS

Survey shows Africans are increasingly online but awareness and practice of digital safety remain low

Most adults across seven African countries access the Internet frequently, but many remain unfamiliar with digital security measures and practice them inconsistently if at all, an Afrobarometer survey shows.

On average across Angola, Benin, Côte d’ Ivoire, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal and Tanzania, a majority of respondents say they worry about the security of their personal data online and believe their mobile phones are the most vulnerable devices to digital threats. Many respondents are unaware of online protection tools, and few apply online safety tools and practices, especially those that provide stronger protection, such as two-factor authentication, VPNs, and antivirus software. resources – such as workplace training or online tutorials – are less frequently used.
Though limited to seven countries and respondents over age 17, these findings highlight significant gaps in digital literacy and suggest a need for targeted education and accessible resources to ensure that
Africa’ s growing digital footprint is both empowering and secure.
More than half( 52 %) express concern about the security of their personal information online, and 81 % think mobile phones are more vulnerable to harmful online activities than computers and other devices.
Respondents tend to rely heavily on informal sources, such as social media and friends or family, for guidance on digital safety, while more structured

TeKnowledge expands partnership with Microsoft to advance national AI skills development in Nigeria

TeKnowledge, a global expert technology services company specialising in helping organisations become AI First, has announced an expanded role as an implementation and delivery partner for Phase 2 of Microsoft’ s AI National Skilling Initiative in Nigeria.

The partnership forms part of a broader effort to strengthen national workforce readiness and support inclusive adoption of Artificial Intelligence.
The collaboration builds on groundwork laid in 2025, when TeKnowledge helped design and deliver one of Nigeria’ s most extensive AI capability-building efforts. The programme was structured not as a pilot but as a nationwide model focused on translating growing interest in Artificial Intelligence into practical, employable skills.
Through a combination of large-scale awareness campaigns, structured learning pathways, hands-on technical training and a developer-focused hackathon, the initiative emphasised applied learning and workforce outcomes.
More than 50,000 Nigerians were reached with foundational and intermediate AI skills, while more than 3,000 participants completed advanced training and earned Microsoft AI certifications across multiple technical tracks.
Aileen Allkins, CEO & President, TeKnowledge, said:“ Around the world, nations that invest in AI literacy and responsible adoption today will define tomorrow’ s economic leadership. Nigeria has the talent, the ambition and the entrepreneurial energy to lead in Africa’ s AI transformation. Our focus is to combine global expertise with strong local execution, ensuring AI skills are accessible, inclusive and impactful at scale.” www. intelligentcio. com
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