Hungary completes ‘largest ever’ economic development scheme in Africa

The Hungarian government has completed its “largest economic development programme in Africa ever” in Uganda, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said in Kampala on Friday.

As part of the programme, Hungary has helped reinforce Uganda’s financial sector against cyberattacks, Szijjártó said. Speaking at the inauguration of a cybersecurity project, financed from 1.5 billion forints (EUR 3.9m) of tied aid and implemented by a Hungarian company, the minister said it was designed to increase cyber security capacities and reinforce the system of mobile payments there.

He said the programme served to increase Africa’s security, adding that “Europe’s security largely depends on that of Africa“. He added that cyber security was a crucial component of physical security.

“Uganda’s security and stability are in the interest of Europe and Hungary, with special regard to the fact that Uganda accommodates the largest number of refugees in Africa … that country is an important pillar of regional security and stability,” he said, warning that compromising that stability could trigger further waves of migration impacting Europe.

To reduce the pressure of illegal migration “we need to create a situation in which locals are helped to stay in their homeland and aid is delivered at the source of the problem,” he said.

“Uganda can continue to rely on Hungary in terms of preserving its stability and security,” the minister said.

Szijjártó said the increasing significance of the digital space went hand in hand with an increase in the number and size of cyberattacks “not only targeting the devices of private individuals but jobs, power grids, transport, hospitals, and government agencies … with a special focus on the financial and banking sector.”

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Szijjártó calls for cooperation to support stability in Africa

The support of European countries is greatly needed to ensure Africa’s stability, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said after talks with Ugandan counterpart Jeje Odongo Abubakar in Kampala on Friday. At a joint press conference, Szijjártó said the security of Europe and Africa was interdependent, adding that Hungary was active in participating in such efforts.