Key Insights
The African cybersecurity market, valued at $0.6 billion in 2025, is experiencing robust growth, projected to expand at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 13.5% from 2025 to 2033. This surge is driven by several factors. Increasing digitalization across various sectors, including BFSI (Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance), healthcare, and government, is creating a greater attack surface, necessitating robust cybersecurity solutions. The rise of cloud computing, while offering benefits, also introduces new vulnerabilities that organizations must address. Furthermore, the growing sophistication of cyber threats, including ransomware attacks and data breaches, is fueling demand for advanced security technologies and services. The increasing awareness of data privacy regulations and the associated penalties for non-compliance also contribute to the market's expansion. While the on-premise deployment model still holds a significant share, the cloud-based segment is experiencing faster growth, reflecting the industry's shift towards scalable and flexible security solutions.
Growth is not uniform across all segments. The BFSI sector currently represents a substantial portion of the market due to its high reliance on sensitive data and its vulnerability to financial fraud. However, other sectors, particularly healthcare and government, are rapidly adopting sophisticated cybersecurity measures, expanding the market further. While significant growth is anticipated, challenges remain. These include limited digital literacy and cybersecurity awareness in certain regions, a shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals, and high implementation costs, particularly for smaller businesses and organizations in developing nations. Nevertheless, ongoing government initiatives focused on digital infrastructure development and cybersecurity awareness campaigns are expected to mitigate these challenges, fostering sustained market expansion throughout the forecast period. Key players like Kaspersky Labs, IBM, and others are actively investing in the region, adapting their solutions to address the specific needs of the African market.

Unlocking Growth: A Comprehensive Analysis of the Cybersecurity Market in Africa (2019-2033)
This in-depth report provides a comprehensive analysis of the burgeoning Cybersecurity Market in Africa, offering invaluable insights for investors, industry stakeholders, and strategic decision-makers. With a study period spanning 2019-2033, a base year of 2025, and a forecast period of 2025-2033, this report unveils the market's dynamics, growth drivers, and future potential. The market size is estimated at xx Million in 2025, with a projected Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of xx% during the forecast period. Leading players such as Kaspersky Labs, DXC Technology, IBM Corporation, Trend Micro Inc, Fortinet Inc, Check Point Software Technologies Ltd, AVG TECHNOLOGIES (AVAST SOFTWARE), Cisco Systems Inc, Symantec Corporation, and Dell Technologies Inc are shaping the landscape.
Cybersecurity Market in Africa Market Concentration & Dynamics
The African cybersecurity market exhibits a moderately concentrated landscape, with a few multinational players holding significant market share. However, the emergence of local and regional players is increasing competition. Innovation ecosystems are developing, particularly in South Africa and Nigeria, driven by government initiatives and increasing venture capital investments. Regulatory frameworks vary across the continent, presenting both opportunities and challenges for market entry. Substitute products are limited, with the demand for robust cybersecurity solutions consistently increasing. End-user trends indicate a growing awareness of cyber threats, leading to increased investment in security solutions. The market witnesses a steady pace of mergers and acquisitions (M&A), with larger players consolidating their positions.
- Market Share: The top 5 players hold an estimated xx% market share in 2025.
- M&A Activity: An average of xx M&A deals were recorded annually during the historical period (2019-2024).
- Innovation Hotspots: South Africa and Nigeria are emerging as leading hubs for cybersecurity innovation.
Cybersecurity Market in Africa Industry Insights & Trends
The African cybersecurity market is experiencing rapid growth, propelled by factors such as increasing internet and mobile penetration, rising digitalization across various sectors, and a growing awareness of cyber threats. The market size is projected to reach xx Million by 2033. Technological disruptions, such as the rise of AI and machine learning in cybersecurity, are further driving market expansion. Evolving consumer behavior, particularly the increased adoption of cloud services and remote work, is fueling the demand for robust cybersecurity solutions. This includes an emphasis on improved data protection, threat detection, and incident response capabilities. The CAGR for this period is estimated at xx%.

Key Markets & Segments Leading Cybersecurity Market in Africa
While the market is spread across the continent, South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya are currently the leading markets due to their advanced digital infrastructure and higher adoption rates of technology. Significant growth is also expected from North African countries.
- By Deployment: The cloud segment dominates, driven by its scalability and cost-effectiveness.
- By End-User: The BFSI (Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance) sector holds the largest market share, followed by the Government & Defense sector. However, growth is prominent in the healthcare and manufacturing sectors.
- By Offering: Security services are showing rapid growth as businesses seek expertise in managing their complex security requirements.
Drivers:
- Economic Growth: Increasing GDP and investment in digital infrastructure drive demand.
- Government Initiatives: Regulatory frameworks and cyber security awareness campaigns are boosting market growth.
- Infrastructure Development: Expanding internet and mobile penetration creates a larger attack surface, necessitating increased security measures.
Cybersecurity Market in Africa Product Developments
Recent years have witnessed significant product innovation in the African cybersecurity market, with a focus on advanced threat detection, AI-powered solutions, and cloud-based security services. These innovations cater to the specific needs and challenges faced by organizations in the region, enabling stronger protection against emerging cyber threats. The focus on user-friendly interfaces and affordable pricing strategies is also driving adoption.
Challenges in the Cybersecurity Market in Africa Market
The African cybersecurity market faces several challenges, including a shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals, limited awareness of cyber threats among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and regulatory complexities varying significantly across the continent. These factors contribute to a slower rate of overall adoption and present hurdles for effective security implementation. Supply chain vulnerabilities pose an additional challenge, especially for the procurement of high-quality security products and services.
Forces Driving Cybersecurity Market in Africa Growth
The growth of the African cybersecurity market is driven by technological advancements, such as the integration of AI and Machine Learning into security solutions and increasing adoption of cloud-based security services. Strong economic growth in several African countries is also increasing budgets for cybersecurity solutions, while government regulations and awareness campaigns are also playing a significant role. The rising trend of digitalization across various industries, including BFSI, healthcare, and government, continues to drive market expansion.
Challenges in the Cybersecurity Market in Africa Market
Sustained growth hinges on addressing the skills gap through investments in education and training programs. The development of localized solutions will also be crucial for broader market adoption across diverse contexts and economies. Successful public-private partnerships are needed for the development of national and regional cybersecurity strategies to address the unique challenges of each area.
Emerging Opportunities in Cybersecurity Market in Africa
Significant opportunities exist in providing cybersecurity solutions tailored to the unique needs of African businesses and government organizations. The growth of mobile money services presents a particularly lucrative area for focused security solutions. Additionally, the increasing adoption of cloud computing creates demand for cloud security solutions and related services. Focus on localized customer support and multilingual interfaces will also prove beneficial to attract a broader market base.
Leading Players in the Cybersecurity Market in Africa Sector
- Kaspersky Labs
- DXC Technology
- IBM Corporation
- Trend Micro Inc
- Fortinet Inc
- Check Point Software Technologies Ltd
- AVG TECHNOLOGIES (AVAST SOFTWARE)
- Cisco Systems Inc
- Symantec Corporation
- Dell Technologies Inc
Key Milestones in Cybersecurity Market in Africa Industry
- July 2022: Cassava Technologies' Liquid Cyber Security division launched its first Cyber Security Fusion Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa, strengthening the national cybersecurity infrastructure.
- May 2022: Dell Technologies introduced new cloud experiences and products to enhance application management and protection across multi-cloud environments, bolstering enterprise security capabilities.
Strategic Outlook for Cybersecurity Market in Africa Market
The African cybersecurity market presents significant long-term growth potential, driven by increasing digitalization, government initiatives, and the expanding adoption of cloud computing. Strategic opportunities lie in developing tailored solutions, fostering partnerships, and investing in cybersecurity education and training. Companies focusing on innovation, localized customer support, and affordable pricing models are best positioned to capitalize on this market's expansive potential.
Cybersecurity Market in Africa Segmentation
-
1. Offering
-
1.1. Security Type
- 1.1.1. Cloud Security
- 1.1.2. Data Security
- 1.1.3. Identity Access Management
- 1.1.4. Network Security
- 1.1.5. Consumer Security
- 1.1.6. Infrastructure Protection
- 1.1.7. Other Types
- 1.2. Services
-
1.1. Security Type
-
2. Deployment
- 2.1. Cloud
- 2.2. On-premise
-
3. End User
- 3.1. BFSI
- 3.2. Healthcare
- 3.3. Manufacturing
- 3.4. Government & Defense
- 3.5. IT and Telecommunication
- 3.6. Other End Users
-
4. Geography
- 4.1. South Africa
- 4.2. Egypt
- 4.3. Morocco
Cybersecurity Market in Africa Segmentation By Geography
- 1. South Africa
- 2. Egypt
- 3. Morocco

Cybersecurity Market in Africa REPORT HIGHLIGHTS
Aspects | Details |
---|---|
Study Period | 2019-2033 |
Base Year | 2024 |
Estimated Year | 2025 |
Forecast Period | 2025-2033 |
Historical Period | 2019-2024 |
Growth Rate | CAGR of 13.50% from 2019-2033 |
Segmentation |
|
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 1.1. Research Scope
- 1.2. Market Segmentation
- 1.3. Research Methodology
- 1.4. Definitions and Assumptions
- 2. Executive Summary
- 2.1. Introduction
- 3. Market Dynamics
- 3.1. Introduction
- 3.2. Market Drivers
- 3.2.1. Growth digitization across the region; Rapidly Increasing Cybersecurity Incidents and Regulations Requiring Their Reporting
- 3.3. Market Restrains
- 3.3.1. Lack of Cybersecurity Professionals; High Reliance on Traditional Authentication Methods and Low Preparednes
- 3.4. Market Trends
- 3.4.1. Growth digitization across the region
- 4. Market Factor Analysis
- 4.1. Porters Five Forces
- 4.2. Supply/Value Chain
- 4.3. PESTEL analysis
- 4.4. Market Entropy
- 4.5. Patent/Trademark Analysis
- 5. Cybersecurity Market in Africa Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2019-2031
- 5.1. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - by Offering
- 5.1.1. Security Type
- 5.1.1.1. Cloud Security
- 5.1.1.2. Data Security
- 5.1.1.3. Identity Access Management
- 5.1.1.4. Network Security
- 5.1.1.5. Consumer Security
- 5.1.1.6. Infrastructure Protection
- 5.1.1.7. Other Types
- 5.1.2. Services
- 5.1.1. Security Type
- 5.2. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - by Deployment
- 5.2.1. Cloud
- 5.2.2. On-premise
- 5.3. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - by End User
- 5.3.1. BFSI
- 5.3.2. Healthcare
- 5.3.3. Manufacturing
- 5.3.4. Government & Defense
- 5.3.5. IT and Telecommunication
- 5.3.6. Other End Users
- 5.4. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - by Geography
- 5.4.1. South Africa
- 5.4.2. Egypt
- 5.4.3. Morocco
- 5.5. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - by Region
- 5.5.1. South Africa
- 5.5.2. Egypt
- 5.5.3. Morocco
- 5.1. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - by Offering
- 6. South Africa Cybersecurity Market in Africa Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2019-2031
- 6.1. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - by Offering
- 6.1.1. Security Type
- 6.1.1.1. Cloud Security
- 6.1.1.2. Data Security
- 6.1.1.3. Identity Access Management
- 6.1.1.4. Network Security
- 6.1.1.5. Consumer Security
- 6.1.1.6. Infrastructure Protection
- 6.1.1.7. Other Types
- 6.1.2. Services
- 6.1.1. Security Type
- 6.2. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - by Deployment
- 6.2.1. Cloud
- 6.2.2. On-premise
- 6.3. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - by End User
- 6.3.1. BFSI
- 6.3.2. Healthcare
- 6.3.3. Manufacturing
- 6.3.4. Government & Defense
- 6.3.5. IT and Telecommunication
- 6.3.6. Other End Users
- 6.4. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - by Geography
- 6.4.1. South Africa
- 6.4.2. Egypt
- 6.4.3. Morocco
- 6.1. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - by Offering
- 7. Egypt Cybersecurity Market in Africa Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2019-2031
- 7.1. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - by Offering
- 7.1.1. Security Type
- 7.1.1.1. Cloud Security
- 7.1.1.2. Data Security
- 7.1.1.3. Identity Access Management
- 7.1.1.4. Network Security
- 7.1.1.5. Consumer Security
- 7.1.1.6. Infrastructure Protection
- 7.1.1.7. Other Types
- 7.1.2. Services
- 7.1.1. Security Type
- 7.2. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - by Deployment
- 7.2.1. Cloud
- 7.2.2. On-premise
- 7.3. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - by End User
- 7.3.1. BFSI
- 7.3.2. Healthcare
- 7.3.3. Manufacturing
- 7.3.4. Government & Defense
- 7.3.5. IT and Telecommunication
- 7.3.6. Other End Users
- 7.4. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - by Geography
- 7.4.1. South Africa
- 7.4.2. Egypt
- 7.4.3. Morocco
- 7.1. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - by Offering
- 8. Morocco Cybersecurity Market in Africa Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2019-2031
- 8.1. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - by Offering
- 8.1.1. Security Type
- 8.1.1.1. Cloud Security
- 8.1.1.2. Data Security
- 8.1.1.3. Identity Access Management
- 8.1.1.4. Network Security
- 8.1.1.5. Consumer Security
- 8.1.1.6. Infrastructure Protection
- 8.1.1.7. Other Types
- 8.1.2. Services
- 8.1.1. Security Type
- 8.2. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - by Deployment
- 8.2.1. Cloud
- 8.2.2. On-premise
- 8.3. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - by End User
- 8.3.1. BFSI
- 8.3.2. Healthcare
- 8.3.3. Manufacturing
- 8.3.4. Government & Defense
- 8.3.5. IT and Telecommunication
- 8.3.6. Other End Users
- 8.4. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - by Geography
- 8.4.1. South Africa
- 8.4.2. Egypt
- 8.4.3. Morocco
- 8.1. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - by Offering
- 9. South Africa Cybersecurity Market in Africa Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2019-2031
- 10. Sudan Cybersecurity Market in Africa Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2019-2031
- 11. Uganda Cybersecurity Market in Africa Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2019-2031
- 12. Tanzania Cybersecurity Market in Africa Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2019-2031
- 13. Kenya Cybersecurity Market in Africa Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2019-2031
- 14. Rest of Africa Cybersecurity Market in Africa Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2019-2031
- 15. Competitive Analysis
- 15.1. Market Share Analysis 2024
- 15.2. Company Profiles
- 15.2.1 Kaspersky Labs
- 15.2.1.1. Overview
- 15.2.1.2. Products
- 15.2.1.3. SWOT Analysis
- 15.2.1.4. Recent Developments
- 15.2.1.5. Financials (Based on Availability)
- 15.2.2 DXC Technology
- 15.2.2.1. Overview
- 15.2.2.2. Products
- 15.2.2.3. SWOT Analysis
- 15.2.2.4. Recent Developments
- 15.2.2.5. Financials (Based on Availability)
- 15.2.3 IBM Corporation
- 15.2.3.1. Overview
- 15.2.3.2. Products
- 15.2.3.3. SWOT Analysis
- 15.2.3.4. Recent Developments
- 15.2.3.5. Financials (Based on Availability)
- 15.2.4 Trend Micro Inc
- 15.2.4.1. Overview
- 15.2.4.2. Products
- 15.2.4.3. SWOT Analysis
- 15.2.4.4. Recent Developments
- 15.2.4.5. Financials (Based on Availability)
- 15.2.5 Fortinet Inc
- 15.2.5.1. Overview
- 15.2.5.2. Products
- 15.2.5.3. SWOT Analysis
- 15.2.5.4. Recent Developments
- 15.2.5.5. Financials (Based on Availability)
- 15.2.6 Check Point Software Technologies Ltd
- 15.2.6.1. Overview
- 15.2.6.2. Products
- 15.2.6.3. SWOT Analysis
- 15.2.6.4. Recent Developments
- 15.2.6.5. Financials (Based on Availability)
- 15.2.7 AVG TECHNOLOGIES (AVAST SOFTWARE)
- 15.2.7.1. Overview
- 15.2.7.2. Products
- 15.2.7.3. SWOT Analysis
- 15.2.7.4. Recent Developments
- 15.2.7.5. Financials (Based on Availability)
- 15.2.8 Cisco Systems Inc
- 15.2.8.1. Overview
- 15.2.8.2. Products
- 15.2.8.3. SWOT Analysis
- 15.2.8.4. Recent Developments
- 15.2.8.5. Financials (Based on Availability)
- 15.2.9 Symantec Corporation
- 15.2.9.1. Overview
- 15.2.9.2. Products
- 15.2.9.3. SWOT Analysis
- 15.2.9.4. Recent Developments
- 15.2.9.5. Financials (Based on Availability)
- 15.2.10 Dell Technologies Inc
- 15.2.10.1. Overview
- 15.2.10.2. Products
- 15.2.10.3. SWOT Analysis
- 15.2.10.4. Recent Developments
- 15.2.10.5. Financials (Based on Availability)
- 15.2.1 Kaspersky Labs
List of Figures
- Figure 1: Cybersecurity Market in Africa Revenue Breakdown (Million, %) by Product 2024 & 2032
- Figure 2: Cybersecurity Market in Africa Share (%) by Company 2024
List of Tables
- Table 1: Cybersecurity Market in Africa Revenue Million Forecast, by Region 2019 & 2032
- Table 2: Cybersecurity Market in Africa Revenue Million Forecast, by Offering 2019 & 2032
- Table 3: Cybersecurity Market in Africa Revenue Million Forecast, by Deployment 2019 & 2032
- Table 4: Cybersecurity Market in Africa Revenue Million Forecast, by End User 2019 & 2032
- Table 5: Cybersecurity Market in Africa Revenue Million Forecast, by Geography 2019 & 2032
- Table 6: Cybersecurity Market in Africa Revenue Million Forecast, by Region 2019 & 2032
- Table 7: Cybersecurity Market in Africa Revenue Million Forecast, by Country 2019 & 2032
- Table 8: South Africa Cybersecurity Market in Africa Revenue (Million) Forecast, by Application 2019 & 2032
- Table 9: Sudan Cybersecurity Market in Africa Revenue (Million) Forecast, by Application 2019 & 2032
- Table 10: Uganda Cybersecurity Market in Africa Revenue (Million) Forecast, by Application 2019 & 2032
- Table 11: Tanzania Cybersecurity Market in Africa Revenue (Million) Forecast, by Application 2019 & 2032
- Table 12: Kenya Cybersecurity Market in Africa Revenue (Million) Forecast, by Application 2019 & 2032
- Table 13: Rest of Africa Cybersecurity Market in Africa Revenue (Million) Forecast, by Application 2019 & 2032
- Table 14: Cybersecurity Market in Africa Revenue Million Forecast, by Offering 2019 & 2032
- Table 15: Cybersecurity Market in Africa Revenue Million Forecast, by Deployment 2019 & 2032
- Table 16: Cybersecurity Market in Africa Revenue Million Forecast, by End User 2019 & 2032
- Table 17: Cybersecurity Market in Africa Revenue Million Forecast, by Geography 2019 & 2032
- Table 18: Cybersecurity Market in Africa Revenue Million Forecast, by Country 2019 & 2032
- Table 19: Cybersecurity Market in Africa Revenue Million Forecast, by Offering 2019 & 2032
- Table 20: Cybersecurity Market in Africa Revenue Million Forecast, by Deployment 2019 & 2032
- Table 21: Cybersecurity Market in Africa Revenue Million Forecast, by End User 2019 & 2032
- Table 22: Cybersecurity Market in Africa Revenue Million Forecast, by Geography 2019 & 2032
- Table 23: Cybersecurity Market in Africa Revenue Million Forecast, by Country 2019 & 2032
- Table 24: Cybersecurity Market in Africa Revenue Million Forecast, by Offering 2019 & 2032
- Table 25: Cybersecurity Market in Africa Revenue Million Forecast, by Deployment 2019 & 2032
- Table 26: Cybersecurity Market in Africa Revenue Million Forecast, by End User 2019 & 2032
- Table 27: Cybersecurity Market in Africa Revenue Million Forecast, by Geography 2019 & 2032
- Table 28: Cybersecurity Market in Africa Revenue Million Forecast, by Country 2019 & 2032
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the projected Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of the Cybersecurity Market in Africa?
The projected CAGR is approximately 13.50%.
2. Which companies are prominent players in the Cybersecurity Market in Africa?
Key companies in the market include Kaspersky Labs, DXC Technology, IBM Corporation, Trend Micro Inc, Fortinet Inc, Check Point Software Technologies Ltd, AVG TECHNOLOGIES (AVAST SOFTWARE), Cisco Systems Inc, Symantec Corporation, Dell Technologies Inc.
3. What are the main segments of the Cybersecurity Market in Africa?
The market segments include Offering, Deployment, End User, Geography.
4. Can you provide details about the market size?
The market size is estimated to be USD 0.6 Million as of 2022.
5. What are some drivers contributing to market growth?
Growth digitization across the region; Rapidly Increasing Cybersecurity Incidents and Regulations Requiring Their Reporting.
6. What are the notable trends driving market growth?
Growth digitization across the region.
7. Are there any restraints impacting market growth?
Lack of Cybersecurity Professionals; High Reliance on Traditional Authentication Methods and Low Preparednes.
8. Can you provide examples of recent developments in the market?
July 2022 - Cassava Technologies' Liquid Cyber Security division has opened the first of its matrix of Cyber Security Fusion Centres in Johannesburg, South Africa. Liquid's Fusion Centre intends to strengthen the country's cyber security industry by controlling the growing threat of cyberattacks on governments and businesses.
9. What pricing options are available for accessing the report?
Pricing options include single-user, multi-user, and enterprise licenses priced at USD 4750, USD 5250, and USD 8750 respectively.
10. Is the market size provided in terms of value or volume?
The market size is provided in terms of value, measured in Million.
11. Are there any specific market keywords associated with the report?
Yes, the market keyword associated with the report is "Cybersecurity Market in Africa," which aids in identifying and referencing the specific market segment covered.
12. How do I determine which pricing option suits my needs best?
The pricing options vary based on user requirements and access needs. Individual users may opt for single-user licenses, while businesses requiring broader access may choose multi-user or enterprise licenses for cost-effective access to the report.
13. Are there any additional resources or data provided in the Cybersecurity Market in Africa report?
While the report offers comprehensive insights, it's advisable to review the specific contents or supplementary materials provided to ascertain if additional resources or data are available.
14. How can I stay updated on further developments or reports in the Cybersecurity Market in Africa?
To stay informed about further developments, trends, and reports in the Cybersecurity Market in Africa, consider subscribing to industry newsletters, following relevant companies and organizations, or regularly checking reputable industry news sources and publications.
Methodology
Step 1 - Identification of Relevant Samples Size from Population Database



Step 2 - Approaches for Defining Global Market Size (Value, Volume* & Price*)

Note*: In applicable scenarios
Step 3 - Data Sources
Primary Research
- Web Analytics
- Survey Reports
- Research Institute
- Latest Research Reports
- Opinion Leaders
Secondary Research
- Annual Reports
- White Paper
- Latest Press Release
- Industry Association
- Paid Database
- Investor Presentations

Step 4 - Data Triangulation
Involves using different sources of information in order to increase the validity of a study
These sources are likely to be stakeholders in a program - participants, other researchers, program staff, other community members, and so on.
Then we put all data in single framework & apply various statistical tools to find out the dynamic on the market.
During the analysis stage, feedback from the stakeholder groups would be compared to determine areas of agreement as well as areas of divergence