Congratulations to Franka Ebai, and Prof. Dr. Petra Maria Asprion from the Center for Digital Trust FHNW; Dr. Lebogang Mosupye-Semenya, and Dr. Ntswaki Matlala from the Johannesburg Business School (JBS); and Sergi Gubin of FHNW, for their research contribution to the IHIET-AI 2026 Conference, held in Valencia, Spain from 23-25 April, 2026.

During the conference, author, Franka Ebai introduced ‘Strengthening Cybersecurity and Digital Payment Literacy for Swiss SMEs Expanding into South Africa:​ A Train-the-Trainer Approach’. The study proposes a conceptual Train-the-Trainer model, which has not yet been empirically validated, designed to equip Swiss business trainers with expertise in cybersecurity and digital payment systems in Switzerland and South Africa.

The proposed program consists of a seven-week training framework aimed at developing a pool of trainers capable of transferring this specialized knowledge to Swiss SMEs. By strengthening trainers’ competencies, the model supports SMEs in navigating regulatory and technological environments during market entry. The initiative is expected to generate direct benefits for business trainers and SMEs while also contributing to broader local, national, and regional capacity-building outcomes.

SwissAfricaPayCyber

The paper is the basis of the Movetia funded Swiss and African Payment Systems and Cybersecurity Training (SwissAfricaPayCyber) project.

SwissAfricaPayCyber is an online platform with a 7 Week Train-the-Trainer Program and course package for Swiss business trainers, linking payment systems, cybersecurity, and compliance in South Africa and Switzerland.

SwissAfricaPayCyber combines Swiss and African expertise to equip Swiss business trainers with skills in cybersecurity and digital payment systems.

Through an interactive 7 Week Train-the-Trainer Program, participants attend one session per week, equipping them with:

• Knowledge of digital payment systems in Switzerland and Africa
• Understanding of cybersecurity risks in international contexts
• Insights into compliance and regulatory environments
• Practical tools to integrate these topics into their own programs