By Jimoh Babatunde

Africa must strengthen intra-continental economic partnerships and modernize its security architecture to remain globally competitive, the Chief Executive Officer of Pureinsight Strategy Group, Kenneth Matthew, has said.

In a policy statement, Matthew noted that Africa’s long-term prosperity will depend on security modernization, greater private sector participation and deeper economic collaboration across the continent.

According to him, the future of Africa’s stability and growth lies in building a collaborative security ecosystem that integrates government institutions, private security organisations and multinational partners.

“Security today is no longer confined to government agencies alone. Africa must embrace a collaborative ecosystem where the private sector supports national institutions with technology, intelligence and strategic advisory capabilities,” he said.

Matthew highlighted the growing role of private security organisations in safeguarding key sectors across the continent, including infrastructure and energy facilities, corporate and diplomatic assets, maritime and logistics networks, as well as providing intelligence support, risk advisory services and smart surveillance technologies.

He stressed that properly regulated private security operations could significantly enhance the capacity of national security agencies while improving operational efficiency across critical sectors.

“Properly regulated private security operations can significantly enhance the capacity of national security institutions while improving operational efficiency across critical sectors,” he said.

The Pureinsight Strategy Group CEO further pointed out that Africa’s security threats — including terrorism, cybercrime, piracy and organised crime — have become increasingly transnational, requiring coordinated regional responses.

“To address these threats effectively, Africa needs stronger collaboration between nations through intelligence-sharing networks, cross-border security partnerships, regional technology integration, private sector security investment, as well as training and capacity development,” Matthew explained.

He added that such cooperation would help protect trade routes, strategic infrastructure and major investment corridors across the continent.

Matthew also linked security stability directly to economic growth, particularly as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) continues to promote deeper economic integration among African countries.

“Economic integration cannot succeed without security integration. Africa must build secure trade corridors, protected maritime routes and technology-driven security systems to unlock the full potential of continental trade,” he said.

Pureinsight Strategy Group, a multinational advisory and strategic consulting firm, provides services to governments, investors and private institutions in areas such as strategic security advisory, international investment facilitation, risk intelligence, immigration and global mobility solutions, corporate security planning and infrastructure protection.

Matthew said the firm’s mission is to support African institutions in developing sustainable security systems that promote long-term development and enhance the continent’s global competitiveness.

He called for stronger collaboration among African governments, strategic institutions and the private sector to address emerging challenges and unlock the continent’s full potential.

“Africa possesses immense potential. What the continent needs is structured collaboration between governments, strategic institutions and the private sector to build a secure and prosperous future for all,” he said.