On October 15, 2025, a notable event unfolded in the world of cybersecurity: Stephen McPartland, the former UK Security minister and a globally respected authority in the field, paid a high-profile visit to Virtual Infosec Africa (VIA), a leading Ghanaian cybersecurity firm. This visit, which took place at VIA’s state-of-the-art AI-driven security and digital forensics centre, signaled a new chapter in Africa’s ongoing journey to strengthen its digital defenses and protect businesses from the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats.
VIA’s headquarters buzzed with anticipation as McPartland toured its cutting-edge facilities. The Ghanaian firm has rapidly gained a reputation for pioneering work in combating cybercrime, enabling swift incident response, and helping African businesses comply with increasingly complex global data protection standards. Emmanuel Sekyere Asiedu, VIA’s Founder and Chief Executive Officer, was quick to highlight the significance of the occasion. “We were honoured to host McPartland, a global voice in cybersecurity, at our AI-driven security & digital forensics centre in Africa,” Asiedu remarked, according to GhanaWeb. “His visit underscores the growing recognition of Virtual InfoSec Africa's mission to combat cybercrime and advance cybersecurity excellence across the continent.”
McPartland’s visit comes at a pivotal moment for Africa’s digital transformation. The continent’s businesses are embracing cloud services, mobile platforms, and digital payments at an unprecedented pace. While this digital leap opens up new economic opportunities, it also exposes companies to a rising tide of cyber risks. According to the African Union, cybercrime currently costs African economies an estimated $4 billion each year, with Ghana, Nigeria, and South Africa bearing the brunt of these losses.
Yet, despite these daunting figures, many African businesses remain underprepared for the sophisticated attacks that have become commonplace elsewhere—ransomware, phishing, and large-scale data breaches, to name a few. As Lexology reported on October 15, 2025, fraudsters are increasingly leveraging artificial intelligence to exploit Africa's fragmented identity infrastructure and mobile-first economy. This surge in AI-powered fraud is not just a technical nuisance; it poses significant financial, operational, and reputational risks to multinational businesses operating across the continent.
So how are African companies, and Ghana in particular, responding to this challenge? VIA has positioned itself at the forefront of the fight. The firm’s AI-powered threat detection, digital forensics, and compliance solutions are tailored to meet both local and international standards. In 2023, VIA launched Africa’s first financial industry command security operations centre (FICSOC) for the Bank of Ghana—a groundbreaking move that strengthened the nation’s intelligence operations against cyber threats. This facility, the first of its kind on the continent, has become a model for how public-private partnerships can bolster national and regional cyber resilience.
VIA’s ambition doesn’t stop there. Just last month, the company entered into a strategic partnership with global cybersecurity firm LogRhythm (now Exabeam) to launch Africa’s first monthly subscription-based Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) service. This initiative is a game-changer for businesses, government agencies, and utilities that wish to protect their digital infrastructure without the prohibitive costs traditionally associated with building such capabilities from scratch. By offering SIEM as a subscription, VIA is making advanced cybersecurity accessible to a far broader segment of the economy—a critical step in leveling the playing field as cybercriminals become more sophisticated.
During his visit, McPartland didn’t just observe; he engaged in strategic discussions with VIA’s leadership team. The focus: how to further strengthen cybersecurity frameworks across Africa. “We are grateful for the insightful discussions and look forward to potential collaborations that advance cybersecurity excellence in Africa and beyond,” Asiedu said, reflecting the optimism and urgency that permeated the day’s events.
But what makes Africa such a target for cybercriminals? The answer lies in the continent’s rapid digital adoption, coupled with its unique vulnerabilities. As Lexology noted, Africa’s identity infrastructure is still fragmented, and its economy is largely mobile-first. This combination creates fertile ground for fraudsters—especially those wielding AI-powered tools—to exploit weaknesses and launch attacks that can ripple across borders and industries. For multinational corporations, the risks are especially acute. Financial losses, operational disruption, and reputational damage are all on the line, and the stakes are only getting higher as digital transformation accelerates.
Recognizing these realities, both the Ghanaian government and the private sector are ramping up their efforts. National initiatives to promote cybersecurity awareness are gaining traction, and there’s a growing appetite for secure technologies. The recent partnership between VIA and Exabeam is just one example of how local innovation and global expertise can come together to address these challenges head-on.
Still, the fight is far from over. Cybersecurity experts warn that as businesses continue to digitize, the tactics employed by cybercriminals will only grow more sophisticated. The rise of AI-powered fraud, in particular, is reshaping the threat landscape. It’s no longer just about defending against known malware or blocking suspicious emails. Today’s adversaries use machine learning algorithms to mimic legitimate user behavior, bypass security controls, and evade detection for longer periods. In this environment, traditional defenses are no longer enough.
That’s why the work being done by VIA and its partners is so crucial. By leveraging artificial intelligence, digital forensics, and real-time monitoring, they are helping African businesses move from a reactive to a proactive stance. The goal is not just to respond to attacks after they happen, but to anticipate and neutralize threats before they can cause harm. As McPartland’s visit underscored, building cyber resilience is a shared responsibility—one that requires collaboration, innovation, and a relentless focus on staying ahead of the curve.
For Ghana and the broader African continent, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The promise of digital transformation is immense, but so too are the risks. As companies like VIA lead the charge, supported by international expertise and local commitment, there’s reason for cautious optimism. The journey to cyber resilience is long and complex, but with every new partnership, every technological breakthrough, and every high-profile visit, Africa’s digital future becomes a little bit more secure.
The story of McPartland’s visit to VIA is more than a ceremonial milestone—it’s a testament to the growing recognition that cybersecurity is now central to Africa’s economic and social progress. As threats evolve and digital frontiers expand, the continent’s response will shape not just its own destiny, but the future of global cybersecurity as well.
