Ara Shamirzayan on Protecting Africa’s Digital Trade Future

In the race to unlock the full promise of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), one truth has become impossible to ignore: Africa’s digital economy will only be as strong as the cybersecurity systems that protect it. Trade is no longer moved solely by roads, ports, and customs posts—it is powered by data. And in an increasingly interconnected world, a single cyber breach can paralyze supply chains, disrupt revenue streams, compromise national security, and erode trust across borders.

Africa is undergoing a rapid digital transformation, with customs systems, trade platforms, and logistics networks migrating online at unprecedented speed. Yet this progress is unfolding against a backdrop of persistent vulnerabilities. Fragmented regulations limited technical skills, outdated infrastructure, and low cyber awareness leave governments and businesses exposed to sophisticated attacks—from ransomware and data theft to manipulation of customs declarations and interference with digital identity systems. These vulnerabilities do not just threaten individual countries; they threaten the success of AfCFTA’s vision of a seamless, integrated digital market.

The AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade marks a historic step toward securing this future, providing a regulatory blueprint for stronger institutions, harmonized standards, and coordinated cybersecurity action across the continent. But frameworks alone are not enough. Turning policy into protection requires investment in modern cyber-defense technologies, cross-border collaboration, institutional capacity-building, and a culture of vigilance that spans governments, private sector actors, and regional bodies.

As Africa positions digital trade as a cornerstone of its industrialization and economic competitiveness, cybersecurity must become the foundation of its resilience. In this context, Webb Fontaine—one of Africa’s leading providers of customs and trade technologies—sits at the center of the conversation. Its Chief Technology Officer, Ara Shamirzayan, speaks to Pan African Visions about the evolving threat landscape, the role of public-private partnerships, the operationalisation of AfCFTA’s digital commitments, and the innovations required to secure the continent’s trade systems for generations to come.

What are the most pressing cyber security threats currently facing trade and customs operations, and how have these evolved over time?

Cybersecurity threats have evolved from isolated disruptions to sophisticated campaigns targeting the integrity of the digital supply chain itself. The most pressing threats are now data breaches, ransomware, and insider threats, all exacerbated by the deep interconnectivity between governments, logistics providers, and traders. Unlike a decade ago, attacks are not just about causing downtime; they aim to falsify declarations, steal revenue, and compromise critical infrastructure. This shift means cybersecurity is no longer just an IT problem—it is a fundamental issue of national revenue protection and economic sovereignty. Our response must be equally evolved, integrating policy, advanced technology, and ecosystem-wide awareness.

In what ways can public-private partnerships, such as those involving Webb Fontaine, contribute to enhancing cybersecurity infrastructure within the trade ecosystem?

Public-private partnerships are essential for building resilient digital trade environments, as no single entity can manage cybersecurity alone. Governments bring regulatory authority and national security frameworks, while private technology partners like Webb Fontaine contribute agility, innovation, and operational expertise. Through collaboration, both sectors can co-develop standards for secure data exchange, deploy unified monitoring systems, and share threat intelligence in real time. At Webb Fontaine, we actively work with customs administrations to embed cybersecurity best practices into every layer of system architecture—from network isolation to identity management and audit trails. These partnerships also extend to capacity building, helping governments develop in-house cybersecurity capabilities rather than relying solely on external vendors. By aligning technology investment with national cybersecurity strategies, we create a foundation of shared responsibility that enhances both resilience and trust across borders.

The AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade includes a dedicated Annex on Online Safety and Security. In your opinion, what are the critical steps African states must take to operationalize this commitment?

Operationalizing the AfCFTA’s digital security commitments requires action on three fronts: governance, harmonization, and capacity. First, states need clear cybersecurity governance frameworks. Second, harmonizing data protection laws is vital for secure cross-border interoperability. Third, capacity building must extend beyond workshops to sustainable investment in talent and Security Operations Centers (SOCs). The AfCFTA Secretariat can catalyze this by establishing a continental threat intelligence sharing platform. Ultimately, the Protocol's success hinges on building tangible trust, so traders are confident their data is safe anywhere within Africa’s single market.

How is Webb Fontaine leveraging technologies to bolster cyber security in digital trade ecosystems?

At Webb Fontaine, cybersecurity is in our platform's DNA. We leverage a defense-in-depth strategy that includes AI-driven anomaly detection to spot fraudulent patterns in millions of declarations, a zero-trust architecture to verify every access request, and end-to-end encryption. This is all underpinned by governance that complies with ISO 27001. Crucially, we do not operate in a silo; we partner with national CERTs and customs IT departments to tailor our defenses. The result is a resilient ecosystem that adapts to threats in real time, turning our platform into a strategic asset for national security.

In the context of varying cyber security capacities across African nations, what are the key pillars of a proactive cyber security culture, and how can regional collaboration help harmonize standards and build mutual trust in digital ecosystems?

A proactive cybersecurity culture begins with leadership commitment, continuous education, and regional solidarity. Leadership must set the tone by treating cybersecurity as a strategic investment rather than a compliance exercise. Continuous education ensures that every stakeholder—from developers to customs officers—understands their role in safeguarding data. At the regional level, collaboration through platforms like Smart Africa, AfCFTA, and the African Union can help harmonize frameworks, establish shared CERTs, and promote joint threat intelligence sharing. Trust between nations grows when they adopt interoperable standards for authentication, encryption, and incident reporting. Webb Fontaine actively advocates for such collaboration by working with regional economic communities to build common digital trust layers. A culture of cybersecurity must evolve from fear of attacks to pride in resilience—a mindset shift that Africa is well-positioned to lead.

As trade organizations navigate complex data security regulations, what role can AI play in helping them stay compliant?

AI can transform compliance from a reactive process into an intelligent, automated assurance system. By continuously scanning transactions, access logs, and data flows, AI can flag anomalies that may indicate policy violations or regulatory risks. Machine learning models can also interpret the intent behind data use—helping organizations detect when information is being shared beyond permitted boundaries. In trade systems, AI can automate audit readiness by generating compliance reports aligned with GDPR, ISO, or national data protection frameworks. At Webb Fontaine, we are integrating AI into our monitoring and governance modules to help authorities anticipate, rather than chase, non-compliance. This not only reduces administrative burden but also ensures that compliance becomes a living, evolving part of the digital ecosystem. Ultimately, AI turns regulation into intelligence—making security both scalable and sustainable.

What role does capacity building and local talent development play in achieving a secure and sustainable digital future for Africa?

Cybersecurity is only as strong as the people behind it. Africa’s digital transformation depends on nurturing a new generation of cybersecurity professionals who understand both global standards and local realities. Building this talent base requires embedding cybersecurity education into national curricula, promoting technical certifications, and fostering hands-on experience through real projects. At Webb Fontaine, we invest in local R&D centers where engineers work directly on mission-critical systems for customs and trade facilitation, gaining practical exposure to secure system design. Beyond skills, we need to cultivate a culture of ethical responsibility—where protecting data is seen as a form of public service. Capacity building should not stop at technical teams; policymakers, auditors, and even traders must be part of the cybersecurity value chain. A sustainable future for Africa’s digital economy starts with empowered local talent capable of defending it.

Looking ahead, what key investments or innovations should African governments prioritize to future-proof their digital infrastructure against evolving cyber threats?

The next decade will belong to nations that treat digital platforms as critical national infrastructure. African governments must therefore invest in sovereign cloud environments, national data centers, and advanced identity management systems built on zero-trust principles. Equally important is investment in cybersecurity intelligence—establishing national SOCs (Security Operations Centers) that can detect, correlate, and respond to threats in real time. Innovation should focus on securing the convergence of IoT and AI, which will underpin future trade systems and logistics networks. Governments must also strengthen legal and institutional frameworks to support cross-border data flows while protecting national sovereignty. At Webb Fontaine, we see the future of digital trade as one where resilience, interoperability, and trust are embedded by design. Future-proofing requires foresight, coordination, and investment—Africa’s competitive advantage will come from building secure digital foundations today.

What lessons can Africa draw from global best practices in securing digital trade, and how can these be adapted to the continent’s unique context?

Global experience shows that cybersecurity success comes from three principles: standardization, transparency, and collaboration. Europe’s GDPR, for instance, demonstrates how clear data protection rules can drive trust and innovation simultaneously. In Asia, countries have built cybersecurity maturity through public-private ecosystems and continuous simulation exercises. For Africa, the key is adaptation—developing frameworks that reflect local realities such as bandwidth constraints, fragmented systems, and resource diversity. Africa can leapfrog by adopting open standards, investing in regional SOCs, and sharing infrastructure across borders. Webb Fontaine’s work in multiple African countries shows that common platforms reduce both cost and exposure by promoting uniform security protocols. The continent’s strength lies in its youth and agility—if channeled properly, these can turn Africa from a cybersecurity consumer into a global contributor.

How can African trade ecosystems build resilience against cross-border cyber threats, especially those targeting supply chains and logistics networks?

Supply chain resilience begins with visibility, verification, and collaboration. Cyber threats today exploit the weakest link, often through third-party vendors or unsecured integrations. To counter this, African trade ecosystems must adopt unified standards for digital identity, secure API exchanges, and continuous vulnerability assessments. Building resilience also means establishing regional threat intelligence networks to detect attacks before they cascade across borders. Webb Fontaine promotes layered defense models—combining endpoint protection, behavioral monitoring, and data integrity verification—to secure every node in the trade chain. Governments should complement this with regional agreements on incident response coordination and information sharing. Resilience is not the absence of attacks but the ability to detect, respond, and recover faster than adversaries—a discipline Africa can master through cooperation and shared purpose.

What metrics or indicators should governments and trade organizations use to assess the effectiveness of their cyber security strategies in the context of AfCFTA implementation?

Effectiveness should be measured through both technical and business lenses. Technically, track Mean Time to Detect (MTTD) and Respond (MTTR), and the percentage of systems under continuous monitoring. From a business perspective, measure trader trust levels, successful cross-border data exchanges, and regulatory compliance rates. Governments should also benchmark the maturity of their national SOCs and the growth of their cybersecurity workforce. At Webb Fontaine, we help countries implement such maturity models. Remember, what gets measured gets managed—and for the AfCFTA, the integrity of the digital system is as important as the trade volume it enables.

Originally published in Pan African Visions.

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About Webb Fontaine

Established in 2002 and headquartered in Dubai, UAE, Webb Fontaine is a leading technology company specialising in Artificial Intelligence-driven solutions for global trade. With offices spanning Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa, the company leverages its extensive expertise to provide governments and communities with innovative solutions that streamline trade processes and enhance efficiency.

Webb Fontaine is renowned for its pioneering technologies that help reduce trade fraud, improve Customs revenue, and expedite clearance times, supporting smoother and more profitable trading ecosystems. The company prides itself on a diverse workforce of over 700 professionals from 41 nationalities, emphasising a culture of excellence, innovation, and integrity.

The firm’s commitment to research and development is unmatched, owning the largest R&D centres in the trade sector, which are pivotal in advancing trade technology and practices. Webb Fontaine’s accolades include numerous international awards and certifications, underscoring its dedication to quality and leadership in trade facilitation.