Niger Sets Up National Committee to Oversee Critical Digital Infrastructure in Response to Rising Cyber Threats

The Nigerien government has taken a significant step in fortifying its digital landscape by establishing a national committee tasked with overseeing the deployment and security of the country’s critical digital infrastructure.

The move, announced Wednesday, is part of Niger’s broader strategy to achieve digital sovereignty and ensure the protection of essential public and private digital services.

During the official installation ceremony, Minister of Communication and New Technologies, Adji Ali Salatou, emphasised the committee’s vital role in safeguarding systems whose compromise could severely impact national security, health services, and economic stability.

It is of paramount importance to ensure the resilience and security of these infrastructures,” Mr. Salatou stressed, referring to threats from various sources, particularly cybernetic ones, said Minister Salatou, citing growing threats, particularly from cyber sources.

The newly formed committee will be responsible for monitoring the operationalisation of digital infrastructure, developing governance frameworks, ensuring system interoperability, managing deployment phases, and producing regular oversight reports.

The creation of the committee follows a ministerial decree issued in June that established a regulatory body to design a framework for classifying critical infrastructure by sector. These actions are part of Niger’s strategic push to build a secure and coordinated digital environment that supports key sectors, including governance, education, health, and finance.

Authorities say that investments in digital infrastructure have enabled the rise of public and private sector players whose digital services are now considered vital to the state’s functioning.

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