Tanzanian cybersecurity and digital forensics expert Yusuph Kileo, a former AfICTA Board Director representing East Africa has been honored with the prestigious International Peace and Security Award (IPSA). Kileo, who serves on the East Africa Advisory Board of the Encryption Advocacy Council (EAC), received the award on November 7, 2026, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to global cyber peace, data protection, and digital security infrastructure.
The award highlights Kileo’s impactful role in advancing information integrity and building cyber resilience, especially across Africa. Earlier this year, Kileo was appointed to the Advisory Board of the EAC, where he helps steer conversations on critical data protection strategies and cybersecurity policy frameworks.
The IPSA committee specifically selected Kileo for his long-standing work in digital forensics investigation and his strong public advocacy for "security by design" in Africa's rapid digitization.
Reacting to the honor, Kileo expressed his deep gratitude to the committee and emphasized that fostering peace in cyberspace and securing our shared digital ecosystem is a collective mission. He noted that the recognition belongs to everyone who works alongside him to make the digital world a safer place, calling the milestone a powerful reminder of the vital work that still lies ahead.
Kileo’s career spans critical defense roles, including prior technical contributions to the Cybercrime Unit of the Tanzanian Police Force and advisory work for elite consulting firms like Deloitte. Beyond policy work with the EAC and the Africa ICT Alliance (AfICTA), he remains a major voice in the public sector, raising awareness about the dangers of deepfakes, AI-driven misinformation, and commercial cyberattacks.
This latest award positions Kileo as a leading international figure bridging the gap between traditional peace-building initiatives and modern digital security infrastructure.
