Press Release – French Cyber, Defense, and Security Forum 2025: French Delegation arrives in Pretoria

Paris, 18^th March 2025 – From April 14 to 17, 2025, Business France will showcase French expertise at the Cyber, Defense and Security 2025 forum in Pretoria, South Africa. This essential forum is organized by Business France, in close collaboration with the Partnerships Office of the DCIS (Directorate of International Security Cooperation – French Ministry of the Interior), the Internal Security Service and the Defense Mission of the French Embassy in Angola as well as the French Embassy in South Africa, Lesotho and Malawi and will cover South Africa, Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi and Namibia.

Southern Africa: An Important Defense and Security Industry

Southern Africa, particularly South Africa, is emerging as a pivotal market for cyber, defense, and security industries. With its advanced defense sector and sophisticated security industry, the region presents significant opportunities for growth and investment.

South Africa boasts the most developed defense sector in Sub-Saharan Africa. The industry comprises both public and private organizations involved in the design, development, manufacturing, and maintenance of land, aerospace, and maritime defense systems. The sector produces a wide range of combat systems, including rifles, armored vehicles, tanks, artillery, military aircraft, naval ships, and missiles. The primary clients are the South African National Defense Force (SANDF) and various international export customers.

As South Africa prepares to host the G20 in November 2025 and is reflecting on its candidacy for the 2036 Olympics, the needs for specific equipment and technologies becomes critical such as:

• Security: Public order maintenance equipment /Intervention vehicles and equipment / Event preparation and security / Judicial police equipment / Training programs,
• Defense: Aerial and terrestrial surveillance systems (radars, anti-aircraft defense, vehicles, etc.), Helicopters, Anti-poaching surveillance tools, drones and micro-drones / Training programs.

Cybersecurity: A Growing Concern

Critical infrastructure is a prime target for cyber-attacks, particularly in South Africa and Botswana. The cybersecurity sector in South Africa continues to grow at a robust pace, with an expected growth rate of 12.97% between 2023 and 2028. South Africa ranks:

• 3rd globally in the number of cyber victims,
• 8th in ransomware attacks,
• 5th in cybercrime density.

According to South Africa’s information regulator, InfoReg, in fiscal year 2022, more than 500 data breaches were recorded. This figure more than tripled in February 2024 (1700 incidents). Kaspersky has recorded, in February 2023 alone, more than 300 cases of ransomware attacks.

Annual losses due to cyberattacks are estimated at 137 million Euros. The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson, said in July 2024 that in the last 10 years, at least 15 million Euros have been stolen via cyberattacks from his ministry.

Specific legislations on Cyber are growing in the region: Malawi passed a law in 2016, Botswana in 2018 and South Africa in 2021. A project is being reviewed in Namibia.

Some of the needs to fight against cybercriminals are:

• Cybersecurity platforms for information collection and reporting,
• Big data analysis and open-source data collection,
• Forensic analysis and malware analysis.

The French Delegation: A Gathering of Leading Companies in Defense, Security and Cyber

This Forum will bring together several leading French companies to collaborate and answer the industry’s specific needs. A wide variety of savoir-faire will be present, such as:

• Airbus Helicopters – Main partner of the event– Aviation and Aerospace component manufacturing.
• Arquus – Combat system of modern armies.
• MBDA – World leader in the field of complex weapon systems.
• Naval Group – Expert in naval defense design, development and construction.
• Eutelsat OneWeb – Satellite internet solutions.
• Exail – Innovative and reliable optical solutions.
• Gatewatcher – Provides a state-of-the-art, fast and complete NDR (network detection & response) platform.
• Oppscience – Pioneering technology enterprise in Intelligence Analysis Management (IAM).
• DCI – Supports the capability development of international armed and security forces through the transfer of the French Armed Forces know-how.
• Block’Axess – Expert in strengthened surveillance around public events, manifestations and sensitive areas.
• Codra – French manufacturer of Panorama Suite: SCADA, Data Historian and Front-end of communication.

These companies aim to showcase their expertise, reinforcing France’s role as a key partner in the region.

Opportunities to Strengthen International Collaborations

Team France will comprise of a consortium between the Partnerships Office of the DCIS (Directorate of International Security Cooperation – French Ministry of the Interior), the Internal Security Service and the Defense Mission of the French Embassy in South Africa as well as a delegation of French private-sector partners specialising in Cyber, Defense, and Security.

The cooperation with the French government in the region is strong:

• In 2023, an official agreement was signed between France and South Africa for the opening of a cyber school amongst the Justice college.
• In 2025, a cooperation agreement was signed between France and Angola relating to domestic security.

Southern Africa’s strategic importance in the cyber, defense, and security sectors cannot be overstated. With its advanced industries and growing cybersecurity needs, the region offers substantial opportunities for investment and collaboration.

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Contacts:

Claire JOGUET, Cyber Security Project Manager at Business France Paris.

claire.joguet@businessfrance.fr         

Samantha DOUARIN, Security & Defense Project Manager at Business France Paris.

samantha.douarin@businessfrance.fr

About Business France 

Business France is the public consulting company dedicated to the internationalization of the French economy. It is responsible for the international development of companies and their exports, as well as the prospecting and welcoming of foreign investments in France. It promotes the attractiveness and economic image of France, its companies, and its regions. It manages and develops the International Business Volunteering (VIE) program. Business France has over 1,400 employees located in France and in 55 countries.

In 2023, Business France’s support generated an additional 3.3 billion Euros in export revenue for French SMEs/ETIs, representing more than 27,111 jobs created or planned. Business France supported 58% of the 1,815 foreign investment decisions in 2023, representing 67% of the 59,254 jobs created or maintained in the country.

Media contacts

Nicolas COCHE, communications & business development for Sub-Saharan Africa

nicolas.coche@businessfrance.fr