The African digital economy is experiencing an unprecedented surge.

Most especially, mobile payments, blockchain adoption, digital lending, and cross-border e-commerce are reshaping the financial and commercial landscape.

Yet, this rapid expansion has come with staggering risks.

The Rising Cost of Cybercrime

Put simply, cybercrime has become one of the most urgent threats facing Africa’s digital economy.

So, from sophisticated fraud schemes in the financial services sector to cross-border ransomware attacks on governments and businesses, the cost of cyber insecurity is mounting at an alarming pace.

FITC, NIBSS Lead a Proactive Response

In response, the Financial Institutions Training Centre (FITC), Africa’s foremost knowledge and innovation-led institution, in partnership with the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), has concluded plans to hold the 2025 ThinkNnovation Cybersecurity Conference.

Focus and Theme of the 2025 Event

Therefore, this year’s event, titled “Securing Tomorrow: Cyber Resilience, Intelligent Defense and the Architecture of Trust in a Borderless World”, will commence on October 22nd, 2025, at the Four Points by Sheraton, Victoria Island, Lagos.

 Growing Threat Across the Continent

According to the African Union’s Cybersecurity Outlook 2024, cybercrime costs the continent an estimated $4 billion annually, with Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa accounting for more than half of the losses.

In the same vein, criminals are shifting from high-volume attacks to precision-targeted strikes that exploit systemic vulnerabilities.

Nigeria’s Financial Services at Risk

For instance, in Nigeria alone, industry reports have revealed multi-billion-naira losses linked to phishing, insider collusion, ransomware, and large-scale fraud schemes that directly undermine trust in financial services.

From Dialogue to Practical Commitments

Consequently, convening decision-makers who influence policy, regulation, and investment, ThinkNnovation 2025 aims to move beyond conversations into practical commitments.

Moreover, the goal is not only to map out Africa’s cybersecurity vulnerabilities but also to outline sustainable pathways.

Additionally, this is for building intelligent defenses, regulatory clarity, and trust architectures that can support inclusive growth.

Leadership Perspective from FITC

Commenting, Dr. Chizor Malize, MD/CEO of FITC, said, “Cybercrime has become one of the most urgent threats facing Africa’s digital economy.

From sophisticated fraud schemes in the financial services sector to cross-border ransomware attacks on governments and businesses, the cost of cyber insecurity is mounting at an alarming pace.”

Building Cyber Resilience Through Trust

She added, “As Africa moves boldly into the digital age, its economic future depends on one word, trust.

Specifically, ThinkNnovation 2025 is not just another conference; it is a platform for urgent dialogue and concrete action.

We must design cyber resilience into every layer of our systems payments, identity, regulation, and infrastructure if Africa is to secure its digital tomorrow.”

A Solution-Driven Convening

Ultimately, unlike generic tech events, ThinkNnovation is structured as a solution-driven convening, with sessions curated to foster actionable strategies, policy frameworks, and collaborative defenses.

Meanwhile, delegates will engage through high-level keynotes, dynamic plenary discussions, investigative panels, and simulation exercises that replicate real-world attack scenarios on financial networks.

Spotlight on Key Themes, Challenges

The conference programme will spotlight urgent themes at the intersection of security, trust, and digital growth, including: The New Face of Financial Crime, Moving from Fraud Volume to Fraud Value, and how institutions can adapt defenses.

NIBSS and the Power of Collaboration

Over the years, institutions such as the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) have played a pivotal role in fostering collective defenses and standardising frameworks that enable safer, more efficient digital transactions across the financial services industry.

Additionally, these efforts underscore a growing recognition that fragmented approaches are no longer sufficient in the face of cybercriminal networks that are global, coordinated, and constantly evolving.

Sustaining the Momentum 

The ThinkNnovation Cybersecurity Conference 2025 builds on this momentum by providing a neutral platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and collaboration.

It is designed to enable stakeholders to move beyond conversations and toward practical solutions whether through the development of joint cybersecurity frameworks, the issuance of policy communiqués, or the creation of new public-private partnerships.