ABOUT CDA

CDA Team

A trusted partner in cybersecurity

Cyber Defense Africa (CDA) is an Africa-focused cybersecurity organization contributing to the development of secure, resilient, and trusted digital ecosystems.
CDA operates at the intersection of technology, governance, and capacity building, supporting stakeholders in addressing current and emerging cyber risks.

Our regional presence

Cyber Defense Africa operates across several African countries, supporting public institutions and private organizations in strengthening the security of their information systems. Through its technical expertise, operational capabilities, and strategic partnerships, CDA delivers trusted cybersecurity services tailored to local and regional challenges.

What drives our actions every day

Our Mission
  • Competence : Technical excellence and continuous improvement
  • Ethics : Integrity, responsibility, and professionalism
  • Commitment : Service to collective digital resilience
  • Efficiency : Measurable and sustainable impact
  • Collaboration : Knowledge sharing and regional cooperation

SUPPORT AFRICAN
STAKEHOLDERS IN:

01

Strengthening cybersecurity governance

We support organizations in structuring and improving their cybersecurity governance to ensure effective risk management and strategic alignment.

02

Reducing cyber risks

We support organizations in minimizing cyber risks through proactive assessments and targeted security improvements.

03

Building operational and human capacities

We help build strong operational capabilities and develop human skills to ensure sustainable cybersecurity resilience.

04

Ensuring trust in digital services

We strengthen trust in digital services through robust security measures and reliable protection of information systems.

Governance backed by trusted shareholders

République Togolaise

Governance & Shareholders
Governance backed by trusted shareholders
Cyber Defense Africa relies on a strong governance model supported by strategic shareholders, ensuring stability, transparency, and alignment with its long-term mission.

Shape Asseco Data Systems

Guiding our
strategy and our
growth

Executive Director

Mr. Simon Pelletier

co-founder and general director of Cyber Defense Africa

Simon Melchior is a co-founder and general director of Cyber Defense Africa, S.A.S. (“CDA”), a joint-venture between the Republic of Togo and the Asseco Group providing cybersecurity services in Togo and beyond its borders. CDA has a security operations center (SOC) and a computer emergency response team that operates the Togo CERT.

Before establishing CDA in 2019, Simon set up Asseco Software Nigeria Ltd. (“Asseco Nigeria”), which is the West African subsidiary of the Asseco Group, one of the leading European software companies, employing over 25,000 IT professionals in more than 50 countries. Asseco Nigeria was incorporated in 2014 as a start-up and has grown organically to become a significant Nigerian IT company, with a local software development team enabling it to create local added value in terms of customization, implementation, integration and support of its software solutions.

Prior to setting-up Asseco Nigeria, Simon has had a rich career since in banking, structured commodity finance, mergers & acquisitions and business development, having worked in Paris and New York for Natixis Bank, in London for Trafigura and in Monaco for MRS Group.

In 2012, Simon established his business and family in Lagos, Nigeria, which he sees as an epicenter of entrepreneurship. Simon was born in Warsaw, Poland and graduated from the Paris Institute of Political Sciences (Sciences-Po) as well as the Paris IX Dauphine University, where he obtained a Masters Degree in International Business.