A dozen French companies will descend on Pretoria next month for the Cyber, Defence, and Security Forum 2025 that will showcase French aerospace, defence, and security expertise while pursuing opportunities for growth and investment in the region.
Set to take place from 14 to 17 April, the forum is organised by Business France in collaboration with the Partnerships Office of the DCIS (Directorate of International Security Cooperation – French Ministry of the Interior), the Internal Security Service and the Defence Mission of the French Embassy in Angola as well as the French Embassy in South Africa, Lesotho and Malawi.
In announcing the event, French export and investment promotion agency Business France noted that Southern Africa, particularly South Africa, is emerging as a pivotal market for the cyber, defence, and security industries. “With its advanced defence sector and sophisticated security industry, the region presents significant opportunities for growth and investment. South Africa boasts the most developed defence sector in Sub-Saharan Africa,” Business France explained. The industry produces a wide range of combat systems, including rifles, armoured vehicles, artillery, military aircraft, naval ships, and missiles.
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, Business France noted. These includes public order maintenance equipment; intervention vehicles and equipment; event preparation and security solutions; judicial police equipment; and training.
On the defence side, requirements include aerial and terrestrial surveillance systems (radars, anti-aircraft defence systems, vehicles, etc.); helicopters; anti-poaching surveillance tools; drones and micro-drones; and training.
Cyber security focus
Cybersecurity has become a critical issue in southern Africa, particularly in South Africa and Botswana, where cyberattacks on critical infrastructure have escalated in both frequency and severity. South Africa ranks among the top global targets for cybercrime, placing third in the number of cyber victims worldwide, eighth in ransomware attacks, and fifth in cybercrime density, Business France noted.
The threat of cybercrime has been growing at an alarming rate. In 2022, South Africa’s Information Regulator recorded over 500 data breaches. By February 2024, this figure had increased to 1 700 incidents in a single month. Cybersecurity firm Kaspersky documented over 300 cases of ransomware attacks in South Africa in February 2023 alone, highlighting the vulnerability of businesses and government institutions.
The financial impact of cyberattacks is also significant. Annual losses due to cybercrime are estimated at €137 million, with some government departments suffering substantial financial setbacks. The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson, revealed that over the past decade, at least €15 million had been stolen through cyberattacks on his ministry.
To combat the growing cyber threat, southern African nations have been enacting legislation to enhance cybersecurity protections. Malawi implemented a cyber law in 2016, followed by Botswana in 2018 and South Africa in 2021. Namibia is currently reviewing a proposed cybersecurity framework to strengthen its digital defences. Despite these efforts, there remains a pressing need for more sophisticated cybersecurity solutions, such as platforms for real-time information collection and reporting, advanced big data analysis and open-source intelligence gathering, as well as forensic and malware analysis tools to track cybercriminal activities, Forum organisers noted.
The Cyber, Defence, and Security Forum 2025 will bring together a delegation of French companies specialising in defence, security, and cybersecurity “to collaborate and answer the industry’s specific needs”. These organisations will present a broad spectrum of expertise, ranging from military hardware to advanced cybersecurity solutions. Among the key participants is Airbus Helicopters, also the main partner of the event.
Other participants will include Arquus, specialising in armoured vehicle production; MBDA – a world leader in designing and producing complex missile systems for land, air, and naval defence; Naval Group, focusing on shipbuilding and maritime security technologies; Eutelsat OneWeb (satellite internet solutions, which enable secure communication networks for defence and security applications); Exail (specialising in robotics, maritime, navigation, aerospace and photonics technologies); Gatewatcher (cybersecurity technology); Oppscience (Intelligence Analysis Management and data analytics for security operations); and Défense Conseil International, which provides consulting, training and technical assistance services.
Further enhancing event security, Block’Axess will showcase its expertise in surveillance for public gatherings and high-risk locations. Codra will present its software platform for SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition).
The forum seeks to foster stronger partnerships between France and southern African nations in cyber, defence, and security. France has already established strong diplomatic and security ties in the region, with significant agreements reinforcing its commitment to collaboration. In 2023, a cybersecurity partnership was formalised between France and South Africa, leading to the establishment of a cyber school within South Africa’s Justice College. In 2025, a bilateral security cooperation agreement between France and Angola was signed to enhance domestic security measures.
“Southern Africa’s strategic importance in the cyber, defence, and security sectors cannot be overstated. With its advanced industries and growing cybersecurity needs, the region offers substantial opportunities for investment and collaboration,” Business France concluded.
