The Kenyan city of Naivasha hosted a gathering of over sixty intelligence agencies from across Africa and the globe at the “Mushariki Intelligence Cooperation 2025” conference, marking a pivotal moment in regional security collaboration. The conference, held under the theme “Deepening Intelligence Cooperation for Regional and Continental Peace and Stability,” was attended by Kenyan President William Ruto and First Lieutenant General Hussein Al-Ayeb, Head of the Libyan Intelligence Service.
In his opening address, President Ruto emphasized that the nature of modern security challenges necessitates the concerted efforts and exchange of expertise among African intelligence agencies. For his part, Al-Ayeb, Head of Libyan Intelligence, highlighted that the conference presents a valuable opportunity to strengthen joint coordination mechanisms in confronting the challenges of terrorism, organized crime, and escalating cyber threats.
During the intensive discussion sessions that spanned three days, participants exchanged views on ways to develop a more integrated and effective African intelligence system capable of addressing complex and interconnected security challenges. An agreement was reached on the launch of an advanced continental platform for the immediate and secure exchange of intelligence information between member states, with a particular focus on countering security threats that transcend national borders.
The conference witnessed broad participation from leaders of security agencies at both African and international levels, with the Director of Kenyan Intelligence stressing that confronting shared security challenges requires the adoption of collective and sustainable solutions. The Head of Turkish Intelligence also underscored the paramount importance of exchanging accumulated experiences and knowledge among various security agencies, while the Director of Somali Intelligence drew attention to the necessity of developing effective early warning mechanisms for proactively addressing potential security threats.
After the conference activities, participants announced the adoption of a comprehensive strategy aimed at enhancing and deepening African intelligence cooperation across various domains, with a specific focus on developing capabilities and capacities in the fields of counter-terrorism and cybersecurity. It was also agreed to hold regular and periodic meetings to monitor progress in the implementation of the conference’s recommendations and resolutions, representing a practical step aimed at translating the conference’s outcomes into tangible actions on the ground.
