Kaspersky, a global leader in cybersecurity, has made a significant move by appointing Chris Norton as the new General Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa.

This strategic appointment underscores the company’s commitment to driving growth and enhancing cybersecurity across the continent.

With over 30 years of IT industry experience, Norton brings a wealth of expertise to Kaspersky, aiming to expand its presence and deepen its impact in a region identified as a high-growth market.

A Strategic Move for Africa’s Cybersecurity Landscape

Since establishing its presence in Africa in 2009, Kaspersky has demonstrated a strong focus on the continent’s evolving digital landscape.

The company’s efforts paid off in 2024, with remarkable growth figures that highlight Africa’s potential. Consumer (B2C) sales surged by 36%, while enterprise (B2B) sales increased by 10% year-on-year, contributing to an overall regional sales growth of 19%.

This performance outpaced many other regions globally, driven by rising Internet penetration, a booming fintech sector, and growing cybersecurity awareness.

Norton’s appointment signals Kaspersky’s intent to capitalise on these trends and solidify its foothold in Africa.

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Who is Chris Norton?

Chris Norton joins Kaspersky with an impressive track record in the technology sector.

Having worked with industry giants such as IBM, Citrix, VMware, ServiceNow, VCE, Dell EMC, Hitachi Vantara, and Veeam, Norton has sharpened his skills in building technology businesses and brands across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Based in Johannesburg, his new role will focus on accelerating growth in both consumer and enterprise segments, strengthening Kaspersky’s channel ecosystem, and promoting the company’s cybersecurity education initiatives.

In his own words, Norton expressed his enthusiasm:

“I am honoured to take on this role at a time when Africa’s digital landscape is rapidly evolving. My focus will be on empowering our customers and partners through cutting-edge innovation, local collaboration, and education. We are proud to deliver high-level cybersecurity solutions to all types of customers, from individuals to industrial facilities, that not only protect against today’s cyber threats but also anticipate tomorrow’s challenges. We work with African organisations to embed cybersecurity at the core of their digital transformation so that security is an enabler of innovation rather than an afterthought.”

Strengthening Partnerships and Local Cyber Capacity

A cornerstone of Kaspersky’s Africa strategy is its collaboration with local partners and institutions to enhance cyber resilience.

Under Norton’s leadership, this approach is expected to intensify. A notable milestone was the five-year cooperation agreement signed with the African Union’s AFRIPOL (African Union Mechanism for Police Cooperation) at the end of last year.

This partnership facilitates threat intelligence sharing, providing law enforcement across African nations with access to the latest data on cybercriminal activities.

Additionally, Kaspersky offers expertise, technical training, and “know-how” to AFRIPOL’s cybercrime units, promoting a stronger regional response to cyber threats.

Beyond law enforcement, Kaspersky has forged strategic alliances to drive digital development. Earlier this year, the company signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding with Smart Africa, a pan-African initiative spanning over 30 countries.

This collaboration aims to expand cybersecurity capabilities continent-wide, aligning with Kaspersky’s vision of a secure digital future.

Building Trust with the Transparency Centre

Kaspersky is also investing in transparency and trust as it expands in Africa. A key development was the opening of its first Transparency Centre in Kigali, Rwanda, in November 2023.

Part of the Global Transparency Initiative, this centre allows partners, government stakeholders, and clients to review Kaspersky’s source code, software updates, and threat detection rules in a secure environment.

This move reinforces Kaspersky’s commitment to accountability and builds confidence among African clients and partners.

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A Vision for the Future

Toufic Derbass, Managing Director for the Middle East, Türkiye, and Africa (META) region at Kaspersky, emphasised the link between Norton’s regional expertise and the company’s global strengths.

“Kaspersky has very strong global expertise in cybersecurity with its award-winning solutions and threat intelligence services, as well as a forward-looking approach to cybersecurity embedded in our Cyber Immunity concept. Coupled with Chris Norton’s deep knowledge of the regional market and cooperation with local partners, we believe we can deliver these solutions and services to a larger number of customers and make the digital future in Africa safer.”

Norton’s appointment comes at a pivotal time as Africa’s digital transformation accelerates. With his leadership, Kaspersky aims to leverage its innovative solutions and strategic partnerships to address the continent’s unique cybersecurity challenges.

This move not only highlights Africa’s growing importance in the global tech landscape but also positions Kaspersky as a key player in shaping its secure digital future.

Ronnie Paul is a seasoned writer and analyst with a prolific portfolio of over 1,000 published articles, specialising in fintech, cryptocurrency, and digital finance at Africa Digest News.