The Financial Sector Cybersecurity Forum was officially launched during the second Ethiopian Finance Forum 2026, which is currently being held at the national level.
The Forum aims to protect the financial sector, which is the backbone of Ethiopia's economy and a cornerstone of the Digital Ethiopia Strategy, from cyberattacks and to build a resilient digital financial ecosystem.
To mark the establishment of the Forum, the Director General of Information Network Security Administration (INSA), H.E. Mrs. Tigist Hamid, and the Governor of the National Bank of Ethiopia, H.E. Dr. Eyob Tekalign, jointly delivered a press statement.
The Forum is established based on the Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity Proclamation, which was approved in June 2018 E.C. It is intended to monitor cybersecurity measures across the financial sector, identify security gaps, and address operational challenges and bottlenecks.
Speaking at the establishment ceremony, INSA Director General H.E. Mrs. Tigist Hamid stated that the Forum would serve as a platform for sharing information whenever cyberattacks target Ethiopia's financial sector and for coordinating collective efforts to prevent potential cyber threats.
She further emphasized that the Forum would play a significant role in identifying and addressing challenges encountered in implementing national and sector-specific cybersecurity policies and laws. It would also provide strategic directions for developing solutions to major challenges affecting the sector's cybersecurity capabilities through research and promote the sharing of best practices and international experiences.
For his part, the Governor of the National Bank of Ethiopia, H.E. Dr. Eyob Tekalign, underscored that cybersecurity is a key priority for Ethiopia's financial sector development, particularly in ensuring the security of the digital financial system.
The Governor highlighted that strengthening the cybersecurity capabilities of financial institutions is essential to building customer trust, accelerating financial inclusion, and enhancing international competitiveness. He also called on all leaders in the financial sector to actively participate in the Forum and play their respective roles in strengthening the sector's cybersecurity resilience.
The Forum will be jointly chaired by the Information Network Security Administration (INSA) and the National Bank of Ethiopia, while other relevant institutions will participate as members.
