Cybercrime is rapidly becoming one of the most pressing security threats in Africa, with more than 30% of all reported crimes in Western and Eastern Africa now linked to cyber activity, according to INTERPOL’s newly released 2025 Africa Cyberthreat Assessment Report.
The report, which draws on data from African member states and private sector collaborators, indicates that two-thirds of the surveyed countries describe cybercrime as accounting for a medium to high proportion of total criminal cases.
Alarming Surge in Online Scams and Cyber Attacks
The report highlights an explosive increase in online scams, particularly phishing, with some African countries experiencing up to 3,000% spikes in suspected scam attempts over the past year. Kaspersky, one of INTERPOL’s key private sector partners, contributed data showing the severity of this trend.
Other major cyber threats include ransomware attacks and Business Email Compromise (BEC) schemes, especially in Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, and Egypt. According to Trend Micro:
South Africa recorded 17,849 ransomware detections in 2024, Egypt followed with 12,281, Nigeria and Kenya saw 3,459 and 3,030 detections respectively.
These incidents include attacks on critical infrastructure, such as Kenya’s Urban Roads Authority, and breaches of government databases, notably the hack of Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
BEC incidents have enabled the rise of highly organized crime syndicates, such as Black Axe, operating multi-million-dollar fraud networks across West Africa.
Rise in AI-Driven Sextortion and Digital Exploitation
INTERPOL also noted a 60% surge in digital sextortion cases, where perpetrators use real or AI-generated explicit images to extort victims. These materials are often shared voluntarily, acquired through manipulation, or stolen.
Growing Threats Demand Collective Response
INTERPOL Cybercrime Director Neal Jetton emphasized the urgent need for coordinated international action.
“This report shows a rapidly shifting threat environment. Emerging dangers like AI-driven fraud cannot be tackled by any single agency or country,” Jetton warned.
Echoing this, Ambassador Jalel Chelba, Acting Executive Director of AFRIPOL, underlined the implications of cybercrime on development:
“Cybersecurity is no longer just a technical matter. It is essential for peace, stability, and sustainable development. It impacts state sovereignty, institutional resilience, and public trust.”
Legal and Enforcement Gaps Across Africa
The report identifies serious deficiencies in legal and operational capacity:
75% of countries say their cybercrime laws and prosecution frameworks are inadequate.
95% report a lack of sufficient tools, training, and resources for enforcement.
Only 30% of African states have functional cyber incident reporting systems.
Just 19% maintain cyberthreat intelligence databases.
Additionally, 86% of countries cite weak international cooperation due to bureaucracy and underdeveloped networks. A further 89% report ineffective collaboration with private sector partners, blaming unclear engagement protocols and institutional barriers.
Progress and Strategic Recommendations
Despite the challenges, the report highlights notable progress. Some African nations have started aligning their cybersecurity laws with global standards and have invested in specialized cybercrime units and digital forensics infrastructure.
Successes such as Operation Serengeti and Operation Red Card—both INTERPOL-led—have resulted in over 1,000 arrests and the dismantling of hundreds of thousands of malicious networks.
To build cyber resilience, INTERPOL recommends six key actions:
Enhance regional and international cooperation
Expand public awareness and cyber-prevention efforts
Adopt advanced technologies in policing
Strengthen legal frameworks
Upgrade operational cyber infrastructure
Improve public-private sector collaboration
As Africa’s digital landscape expands, the report makes clear that without a unified and strategic response, cybercrime will continue to evolve faster than the continent’s defenses. (PRNigeria)
