Africa’s rapid digital transformation, driven by widespread mobile penetration, internet connectivity, and digital finance adoption, has created both opportunities and significant challenges.
As the continent embraces technologies like mobile banking, AI, and cloud computing, cybercrime has surged, exploiting gaps in cybersecurity infrastructure and law enforcement capacity.
According to the Interpol Africa Cyberthreat Assessment Report 2025, with over 500 million Internet users in the region, many countries still lack adequate cybersecurity measures, leaving businesses and individuals vulnerable to attacks.
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Many countries across the continent face challenges such as legal frameworks that are still taking shape, limited cybersecurity investment, and digital literacy gaps, further exacerbating these risks. Also, the widespread use of smartphones has made mobile platforms a primary target for cybercriminals, particularly in regions with high mobile banking adoption.
Additionally, the growing integration of Internet of Things (IoT) devices in sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, and manufacturing presents new security risks, as many of these devices lack robust protection. Several African nations, including Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Angola, Uganda, Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, and Mozambique, are among the most frequently targeted globally in 2024.
Notably, cybercriminals are continuously evolving their tactics, leveraging social engineering, artificial intelligence, and instant messaging platforms to launch increasingly sophisticated attacks. Both domestic and international cybercrime networks are capitalizing on human vulnerabilities, using advanced deception techniques to target individuals and organizations alike.
Recent survey findings from INTERPOL’s African member countries, in collaboration with private sector partners and regional cybersecurity reports, have identified the most pressing cyberthreats on the continent. These include online scams, ransomware, business email compromise (BEC), and digital sextortion.
Online scams, in particular, are surging across several African nations. Cybercriminals are rapidly adapting their strategies to exploit weaknesses and defraud victims. Phishing schemes, romance scams, and other fraudulent activities have become more complex through the strategic application of AI, social engineering, and manipulation via social media platforms.
INTERPOL member countries have underscored these scams as some of the most critical cyber risks in Africa for 2024, citing their increasing prevalence and the significant damage they inflict on both individuals and businesses. The rapid pace of digital transformation across Africa is fueling a sharp rise in online scams. As more people engage with social media, digital commerce, and mobile banking, cybercriminals are taking advantage of the expanded digital footprint to commit fraud.
Phishing, a method used to deceive individuals into revealing sensitive information, has emerged as the most widespread cyberthreat in Africa in 2024. Both individuals and organizations are being targeted, with INTERPOL member countries ranking phishing as their top cybersecurity concern due to its high frequency and broad impact. Digital security reports show that phishing accounts for 34% of all reported cyber incidents across the continent.
Cybercriminals execute phishing attacks by impersonating trusted institutions through emails, messaging apps, and fake websites. These tactics are designed to manipulate victims into disclosing confidential data such as login credentials, banking information, or personal identification. Once acquired, this information enables unauthorized access, identity theft, and financial fraud.
The increasing sophistication of phishing schemes poses a growing threat to vital sectors, including banking, government services, and telecommunications. As Africa continues its digital evolution, the fight against phishing and online scams has become a critical priority for regional cybersecurity efforts.
As cyberthreats grow more complex, the strategies and tools used to combat them must also evolve. Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, data analytics, and automation offer users and law enforcement agencies powerful capabilities to anticipate, detect, and disrupt cybercriminal activities at scale. Yet, the adoption of these tools remains inconsistent across African nations.