Banjul, Republic of The Gambia – June 15, 2023

The Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Center (ROLACC), in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of The Gambia and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and CIFAL Doha, successfully concluded a four-day intensive training programme on Cybercrime and Cybersecurity in Banjul, Republic of The Gambia. This training programme ran from 12-15 June and included 45 participants from the Republic of The Gambia alongside participants from various West African nations, including the Republic of Sierra Leone, the Republic of Guinea Bissau, the Republic of Senegal, the Republic of Ghana, and the Cote d’Ivoire.

The objective of the training was to enhance the capacity of the participants in addressing the rising challenges posed by cybercrime, and to foster collaboration among West African nations and the private sector in combating cyber threats. The training programme was delivered by the organizing entities to support West African countries, and comes as a support from the State of Qatar through the United Nations for the appreciated role played by His Excellency Adama Barrow, President of the Republic of The Gambia in upholding the rule of law and institutions, and in supporting specialists such as judges, lawyers, policemen and those in charge of law enforcement with specialized courses from the competent authorities such as the United Nations and the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Center, in order to increase efficiency and effectiveness.

During the four-day training schedule, participants engaged in interactive sessions led by experts from the Gambian Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, UNITAR, ROLACC, and the private sector. The training covered a wide range of topics, including cyber threats and vulnerabilities, digital forensics, legal frameworks for combating cybercrime, international cooperation, and incident response strategies. Practical exercises and case studies allowed participants to apply their knowledge and skills in real-world scenarios.

On the final day of the workshop, His Excellency Dr Mamadou Tangara, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of The Gambia, alongside ROLACC and UNITAR representatives, awarded certificates of completion to all participants.