As Togo approaches its presidential elections on February 22, 2025, the country stands at a pivotal moment in its political history. With incumbent President Faure Essozima Gnassingbé, the front-runner, seeking a new term, the election is expected to shape the future of the country’s economy and its political landscape. However, beyond the conventional political discourse, the upcoming election also presents a growing concern over cybersecurity, which has become a central issue in many electoral processes worldwide.
Togo, like many countries, is increasingly vulnerable to cyber threats, particularly as political campaigns, media outlets, and voting systems become more digitized. With a fragmented opposition and a relatively unchallenged incumbent, the elections could become a target for various cyber actors, both domestic and foreign. This article explores the cybersecurity challenges facing Togo as it heads into its presidential election, the implications of these risks, and how the country can safeguard its electoral process from the looming threats of cybercrime.
1. Togo’s Economic and Political Landscape Ahead of the Election
In the months leading up to the election, Togo has experienced notable economic growth, largely driven by the government’s National Development Plan (PND). The PND aims to bolster key sectors, such as infrastructure, agriculture, and manufacturing, contributing to an economic resurgence. However, this growth has been marred by the political dominance of President Gnassingbé, who has been in power for over 15 years. The election, therefore, holds significance not only for the future of the country’s economy but also for the political direction it will take in the coming years.
Despite the economic improvements, the opposition remains fragmented, with no single candidate emerging as a strong challenger to Gnassingbé. This division could play into the hands of the incumbent, but it also presents an opportunity for cybercriminals to exploit weaknesses within the political sphere, particularly through misinformation and data manipulation.
2. The Rise of Cybersecurity Threats in African Elections
Togo’s experience is not unique; cyber threats have become a major concern in many African nations as elections approach. With the rise of digital platforms for communication, campaigning, and voting, cybercriminals have found new opportunities to influence political outcomes. In countries like Nigeria, Kenya, and Zimbabwe, elections have been marred by cyberattacks, misinformation campaigns, and even data breaches.
In the case of Togo, the lack of a robust cybersecurity framework could make the electoral process vulnerable to cyber threats, which can take many forms:
Misinformation and Disinformation Campaigns: The spread of false or misleading information through social media platforms is one of the most common tactics used to influence public opinion and sway elections. Togo, like many other African nations, is seeing an increase in social media use, which has made the country a prime target for misinformation campaigns.
Election Tampering: Cybercriminals could attempt to interfere with the electoral process itself, by hacking into the voting system or manipulating election results. Though Togo does not have a fully digital voting system yet, the use of electronic voter registration and other online processes can still be susceptible to cyberattacks.
Data Breaches: With the growing reliance on digital platforms for campaign management and voter data collection, there is an increased risk of data breaches. Personal data of voters, as well as sensitive information related to political campaigns, could be exposed, potentially giving attackers an advantage in influencing the election.
3. The Role of Social Media in Electoral Manipulation
Social media platforms have become a crucial battleground for political campaigns, particularly in Africa, where millions of people now access the internet for the first time through mobile devices. In Togo, Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp are widely used for political discourse, and these platforms are often fertile ground for spreading fake news.
Cyberbullying and Harassment: In many African countries, including Togo, social media platforms are frequently used for political intimidation. Opposition leaders, journalists, and activists often face online harassment, which could escalate during the election period. Such tactics are meant to silence dissent and discredit political adversaries.
Coordinated Inauthentic Behavior: Foreign actors may attempt to influence Togo’s election through coordinated efforts. By deploying fake accounts and bots, these actors can amplify certain political messages, spread disinformation, and create confusion among voters. This phenomenon has been seen in multiple elections across the globe, from the United States to Brazil.
4. Cybersecurity in Togo: Current Challenges and Vulnerabilities
Togo faces significant challenges in addressing cybersecurity risks related to the upcoming elections. Despite efforts to modernize the country’s infrastructure and economic systems, Togo’s cybersecurity measures remain underdeveloped. The lack of a comprehensive national cybersecurity strategy, alongside limited resources for law enforcement agencies to combat cybercrime, places Togo in a precarious position.
Additionally, there is a shortage of cybersecurity experts in the country, which makes it difficult to prevent and respond to emerging cyber threats effectively. While some steps have been taken to improve cybersecurity awareness and build technical capacity, much more needs to be done to safeguard the electoral process.
5. Preventing Cyber Threats in the Lead-Up to the Togo Election
Given the increasing risks to Togo’s electoral process, it is essential that the government, political parties, and private sector work together to implement preventive measures. Here are ten key cybersecurity practices to mitigate the risks:
- Strengthen Social Media Monitoring: Authorities should collaborate with social media companies to monitor and address disinformation and misinformation campaigns.
- Enhance Voter Data Protection: Secure personal data by implementing strong encryption measures and regularly auditing the systems that store sensitive voter information.
- Build Cybersecurity Awareness: Launch national campaigns to educate citizens on how to identify fake news and avoid falling victim to cybercriminals.
- Invest in Cybersecurity Infrastructure: Ensure that all electoral processes, including registration and results collection, are secured against cyber threats.
- Develop a National Cybersecurity Strategy: Togo must create a comprehensive national cybersecurity policy to safeguard its digital infrastructure and protect citizens from cybercrime.
- Create a Cybersecurity Task Force: Establish a dedicated team to handle cybersecurity incidents and monitor cyber threats in real-time.
- Secure Social Media Accounts: Political leaders and parties must adopt strong security protocols for their social media accounts to avoid hacks and manipulation.
- Conduct Regular Cybersecurity Audits: Election-related systems and platforms should undergo regular security audits to identify and address vulnerabilities.
- Encourage Collaboration Between Government and Private Sector: Engage tech companies, banks, and other stakeholders to ensure a unified approach to securing the electoral process.
- Implement Incident Response Plans: Prepare a detailed response plan for any cyber incidents that may arise, ensuring a rapid and coordinated response to minimize damage.
Conclusion:
As Togo prepares for its presidential election in February 2025, cybersecurity must be a top priority. The country’s increasing digitalization, coupled with the potential for cyberattacks, presents significant risks to the integrity of the electoral process. It is essential that the government, political parties, and citizens adopt a proactive approach to cybersecurity, ensuring that Togo’s election is free, fair, and secure from cyber threats. By implementing robust cybersecurity practices and staying vigilant, Togo can safeguard its democratic process and ensure a stable future.
Want to stay on top of cybersecurity news?
Follow us on:
Facebook | X (Twitter) | Instagram | LinkedIn
for the latest threats, insights, and updates!
Published on February 13, 2020.
