World · Africa · 3 hrs ago
African security chiefs seek ways to counter terrorists’ use of digital tools
African security officials at a three-day regional conference are discussing how to counter terrorist groups’ use of digital technology in the Sahel and West Africa.
Groups including Islamic State affiliates, al-Qaeda-linked JNIM and Boko Haram use social media for recruitment and propaganda, and some have also deployed drones.
Officials say technology can help the groups reach people beyond their strongholds and move or hide money.
They warned that these changes make it harder for security agencies to respond quickly, while straining forces already dealing with violence across the region.
Nigeria’s National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu called for more cross-border intelligence sharing and cooperation among governments, security agencies and private companies.
The conference is also set to train participants in cyber threat intelligence, digital forensics and other skills to detect and disrupt digital threats.
African security chiefs said terrorist groups are increasingly using digital technologies and social media across the Sahel and West Africa.
The concerns were raised at a three-day regional conference on detecting and disrupting terrorists’ use of communication platforms and emerging technologies.
Participants included representatives of the African Union, ECOWAS and the Multinational Joint Task Force.
Officials called for specialised training, stronger regional coordination and cooperation with private-sector operators.
The conference was to train participants in cyber threat intelligence, open-source intelligence, digital forensics and blockchain analysis.
- Who
- African security chiefs and regional and international representatives, including officials from the African Union, ECOWAS and the Multinational Joint Task Force.
- What
- They discussed ways to detect and disrupt terrorists’ use of social media, digital platforms and emerging technologies.
- When
- The conference was reported on 14 October 2026; participants raised their concerns on Tuesday.
- Where
- The conference was regional, focused on the Sahel and West Africa. A specific venue is not stated.
- Why
- Terrorist groups are using digital tools for recruitment, propaganda, financing and operations, creating threats that security agencies struggle to counter quickly.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
JNIM carried out its first AI-enabled aerial assault on military positions in Bandiagara, Mali.
President Bola Tinubu declared an initiative that the NSA said was followed by efforts to secure regional-centre-of-excellence accreditation for Nigeria’s National Counter Terrorism Centre.
The Islamic State Sahel Province deployed a drone in an attack on Niamey airport.
Security leaders expressed concern at a regional conference on disrupting terrorists’ use of digital platforms and emerging technologies.
- Conference length
- Three days
- Conference focus
- Detecting and disrupting terrorists’ exploitation of communication platforms and emerging technologies
- Regional bodies represented
- African Union, ECOWAS and Multinational Joint Task Force
- Examples of groups named
- ISWAP, Boko Haram, JNIM and Islamic State Sahel Province
- Training topics
- Cyber threat intelligence, open-source intelligence, digital forensics and blockchain analysis
What people are saying
Across West Africa and the Sahel today, ISWAP, Boko Haram and JNIM are extending their reach through technology
A [terror] cell with a modest budget can now reach audiences far beyond its physical presence and move faster than our procedures can respond.
We must, therefore, strengthen our ability to anticipate, detect, analyse and disrupt threats before they materialise
Nigeria recognises that no institution, country or sector can defeat terrorism alone