‘Data Is New Gold’: Zambian Expert Warns Country Faces Same Cyber Threats as Larger African Economies
Zambian IT specialist John Tchisenki told Sputnik Africa that warfare has shifted toward digital attacks aimed at stealing intelligence and disrupting infrastructure, saying South Africa and Nigeria already face daily cyber assaults and that Zambia is also exposed.
Zambia is being urged to treat its digital systems as strategic assets, not just technical utilities, as cyber threats spread across the continent.
In an interview with Sputnik Africa, Zambian IT specialist John Tchisenki said "data is new gold" and argued that warfare has shifted from purely physical clashes to digital operations. Attackers, he said, use espionage to steal intelligence and disrupt national infrastructure.
Tchisenki pointed to South Africa and Nigeria as examples of African countries already dealing with daily cyber attacks. He stressed that "Zambia is not spared," suggesting that smaller economies are now facing pressure similar to that on larger, more connected states.
For Zambia, which has been expanding digital banking, government e‑services and mobile communications, the implications are concrete. Successful cyber intrusions can bring down payment systems, interrupt public services or expose sensitive records. Attacks on infrastructure such as power grids or telecoms can leave households and businesses without basic services.
Tchisenki’s comments reflect a wider recognition that malicious tools once limited to a few state actors are now more widely accessible. Criminal groups, politically motivated hackers and state‑linked operators can reuse or adapt shared malware and intrusion techniques against targets that may lack robust defenses.
The core argument is that Zambia cannot rely on its smaller profile for protection. As long as its networks carry information or connect to systems that others value, it presents a viable target.
Signals that will show how seriously the warning is being taken include any moves by Zambian authorities to update cybersecurity laws, establish or strengthen a national incident‑response team, or seek technical support from regional partners. A major reported breach affecting banks, telecoms or key ministries would test existing defenses and could rapidly accelerate policy changes.
Sources
- OSINT