Previously last week, on the fourth day of the Executive Peer Learning Mission of the Association of African Election Authorities (AAEA), participants spent the day at the Med-Or Italian Foundation in Rome, focusing on cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and the protection of electoral infrastructure.
The mission brought together Electoral Management Bodies (EMBs) from countries participating in Italy’s Piano Mattei initiative, alongside continental and regional electoral networks from Central, Eastern, Southern and Western Africa, creating a unique platform for peer learning and exchange on the future of electoral governance and integrity.
Hosted by the Med-Or Foundation, one of Italy’s leading foundations working on cybersecurity, defence, energy, and strategic cooperation, the day featured a series of high-level discussions and technical exchanges with Italian institutions and experts specialised in cybersecurity and emerging technologies.
The morning sessions included presentations from the Italian National Cybersecurity Agency (ACN), with contributions from Dr Valentina Lo Voi, Head of the Training Division (ACN), and Dr Bernardo Palazzi, Advisor for Training Division (ACN), who introduced Italy’s cybersecurity framework and the role of national institutions in protecting critical infrastructure.
A dedicated session facilitated by Jean Mensa, Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of the Republic of Ghana and President of the AAEA, together with Dr Aldo Di Somma, Deputy Head of the CSIRT Italia Division (ACN), focused specifically on cyber threats in electoral contexts, including ransomware attacks, data breaches, disinformation, and foreign interference targeting democratic processes.
The afternoon discussions, led by Dr Massimo Tedeschi, CTO of the Cyber & Security Solutions Division at Leonardo S.p.A., explored the growing role of artificial intelligence in electoral processes and public administration. Particular attention was given to human oversight, AI risk mitigation, audit mechanisms, safeguards against automation bias, and crisis preparedness in sensitive democratic environments.
This important exchange builds on the partnership between ECES and the Med-Or Foundation, aimed at strengthening cooperation on governance, rule of law, peacebuilding, and electoral integrity by combining ECES’ expertise in electoral assistance with Med-Or’s work in security and strategic domains.
Fabio Bargiacchi, Founder and Executive Director of ECES, addressed participants directly from the Med-Or Foundation Headquarters, highlighting the importance of strengthening cooperation between African and European institutions in addressing new technological and cybersecurity challenges affecting electoral processes worldwide.
The Executive Peer Learning Mission, organised together with the African Union Commission and supported by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, continued the following day at LUISS University with further discussions on governance frameworks for artificial intelligence and the ethical use of AI in electoral matters and public administration.
ECES extends its sincere gratitude to the Med-Or Foundation, the Italian National Cybersecurity Agency, and all Italian authorities and institutions involved for making this important day of exchanges and peer learning possible.
