Africa is undergoing a digital revolution, marked by increased internet connectivity and a surge in digital services. From 2019 to 2022, over 160 million Africans became regular internet users, with mobile phones serving as the primary means of access for over 650 million people.
This transformation has revolutionized critical sectors such as banking, infrastructure, and e-commerce, while shaping the daily lives of individuals who now rely on digital payments, social media, and other online platforms.
However, with these advancements come rising cybersecurity challenges. Africa’s growing digital landscape has become an attractive target for cybercriminals. As more Africans access the internet, the potential for cyberattacks increases, exposing both businesses and individuals to serious risks.
The first INTERPOL Africa Cyberthreat Assessment Report, released in 2021, estimated that cybercrime cost the region more than $4 billion, representing around 10% of Africa’s total GDP. This figure has since grown as cyber threats become more complex and widespread.
Countries like South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria have been particularly vulnerable to cyberattacks, experiencing an increase in incidents such as hacking, phishing, and ransomware.
In Kenya alone, cyberattacks surged by 82% in 2023, while South Africa recorded over 106,000 backdoor and spyware attacks in early 2023. Nigeria faced 46,000 similar attacks, and Kenya saw 143,000 attack attempts blocked, with exploits accounting for 177,000 incidents.
The vulnerability of African nations to cyber threats is exacerbated by inadequate cybersecurity measures. A report from African Business in February 2023 found that nearly 90% of businesses across the continent lacked essential cybersecurity protocols, leaving them vulnerable to attacks.
This gap in cybersecurity preparedness is particularly concerning in critical sectors like healthcare and education, where protecting sensitive data is crucial.
One of the major factors contributing to Africa’s vulnerability to cyberattacks is the significant shortage of cybersecurity professionals. As of early 2023, the continent faced a shortage of around 100,000 certified cybersecurity experts, leaving businesses and institutions ill-prepared to defend against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. This skills gap is especially pressing as African nations continue to embrace digital transformation.
The lack of cybersecurity expertise presents a major challenge in protecting the continent’s expanding digital infrastructure. Without a sufficient number of trained professionals, many organizations are left exposed to data breaches, financial losses, and reputational damage.
Despite the challenges, several initiatives have emerged to bolster cybersecurity across Africa. For instance, cybersecurity consultancy firms like Serianu have partnered with IT solutions providers like Digital Jewels to offer comprehensive data protection services. These services include employee training, threat detection, and governance frameworks aimed at helping African businesses enhance their cybersecurity capabilities.
In addition, INTERPOL’s African Joint Operation against Cybercrime (AFJOC) and the INTERPOL Support Programme for the African Union (ISPA) are working to address the continent’s cybersecurity needs through collaborative efforts. These programs focus on building cyber resilience and providing tailored solutions to the unique challenges faced by African nations.
As Africa’s digital economy continues to grow, there is an urgent need for governments, businesses, and institutions to prioritize cybersecurity. The adoption of advanced threat detection technologies, zero-trust architecture, and regular employee training on cyber hygiene are essential steps in mitigating the risk of cyberattacks.
Furthermore, African countries must work together to strengthen their cybersecurity frameworks. Cross-border collaborations, such as those facilitated by INTERPOL, can help ensure that all nations on the continent are equipped to handle the evolving threat landscape.
African businesses are also making strides in strengthening their digital strategies. Many are adopting cloud solutions and hiring cybersecurity professionals or engaging with cybersecurity firms to mitigate risk. For example, Serianu’s recent partnership with Digital Jewels offers businesses a robust approach to data protection, governance, and threat detection, contributing to the overall cybersecurity defense of the continent.
Africa’s cybersecurity challenges are part of a broader global trend. In the second quarter of 2024, cyberattacks surged by 30% globally, with Africa emerging as the most targeted region.
Organizations in Africa faced an average of 2,960 cyberattacks per week, marking a 37% increase compared to the same period in 2023. Countries such as South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria were among the hardest hit, with South Africa recording an average of 1,450 weekly attacks per organization.
Ransomware remains a significant global concern, with attacks involving public extortion increasing by 13% year-over-year. Although Africa accounted for only 1% of these attacks, it remains vulnerable to future ransomware incidents, particularly in industries such as manufacturing, communications, and utilities.
The rise of online scams has emerged as one of the most significant cyber threats across Africa, posing a major socio-economic crisis in the region. As the continent undergoes rapid digital transformation, more Africans are engaging in online activities, such as mobile banking and social media communication.
This increased digital presence has created a larger attack surface for cybercriminals, making online scams one of the most prevalent forms of cybercrime. According to reports from INTERPOL’s African member countries, these scams are not only increasing in frequency but also in their financial and social impact, affecting individuals and organizations alike.
Online scams involve fraudulent schemes conducted via the internet with the intent of stealing money or personal information from individuals or organizations. Cybercriminals use a combination of techniques, including phishing, malware, and social engineering, to carry out these operations.
The diversity of online scams means that no group is immune—victims come from all age groups, genders, and professions. Likewise, organizations targeted range from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to large corporations across various sectors.
While the exact financial losses caused by online scams in Africa are difficult to quantify, their socio-economic impact is clear. These scams contribute to a growing crisis, draining resources from victims, disrupting businesses, and damaging trust in digital platforms.
The rise in online scams is closely linked to Africa’s digital transformation. As internet access expands and digital services proliferate, more Africans are relying on online platforms for communication, shopping, and banking.
This increased digital engagement has inadvertently created opportunities for cybercriminals. With more people and businesses going online, the potential pool of victims has grown, giving cybercriminals more chances to deceive, defraud, and exploit.
African countries are particularly vulnerable to these scams due to factors such as low digital literacy and inadequate cybersecurity infrastructure. With many users unaware of the tactics employed by cybercriminals, scams often succeed in tricking people into revealing sensitive information or transferring money to fraudulent accounts.
Among the wide range of online scams reported by INTERPOL’s African member countries, five prominent types were identified in 2023: business email compromise (BEC), phishing scams, romance scams, pig butchering, and mobile phone scams. Each type of scam targets victims using different methods, but the impact is often devastating.
Phishing Scams: Phishing remains the most widespread form of online scam in Africa. It involves cybercriminals impersonating legitimate organizations or entities to trick individuals into providing personal information, such as login credentials or financial details.
Phishing attempts typically involve urgent communications designed to provoke immediate action, such as clicking on malicious links or downloading infected attachments. Across Africa, two distinct forms of phishing have emerged—traditional phishing, which occurs through emails or fake websites, and social phishing, which targets users through messaging platforms or social media.
Romance Scams: Romance scams are a growing issue, particularly affecting vulnerable individuals who are deceived into believing they are in a romantic relationship with someone they met online. The scammer typically builds trust over time before asking for money under false pretenses.
These scams are often emotionally devastating for victims, who may not realize they have been defrauded until it is too late.
Pig Butchering: This scam involves cybercriminals luring victims into fraudulent investment schemes. Scammers often present themselves as experts in cryptocurrency or other financial markets, convincing victims to invest large sums of money, only to disappear with the funds.
The term “pig butchering” refers to the way scammers “fatten up” victims by gaining their trust before executing the fraud.
Mobile Phone Scams: With mobile phones being the primary internet access point for many Africans, mobile phone scams have become increasingly common.
These scams typically involve fraudulent calls or SMS messages that trick victims into revealing personal information or transferring money.Business Email Compromise (BEC):
This form of scam, which is examined in a separate report due to its high prevalence in Africa, involves cybercriminals hacking into business email accounts to carry out fraudulent financial transactions. These scams often result in significant financial losses for businesses.
Phishing scams are not only dangerous in their own right but also serve as a gateway to other forms of cybercrime. For example, phishing attacks often lead to ransomware, where cybercriminals lock a victim’s data and demand payment for its release.
Phishing can also facilitate identity theft, financial fraud, and other cybercrimes by providing attackers with access to sensitive personal or business information.
In Africa, phishing attacks have become increasingly sophisticated, with criminals employing social engineering tactics to exploit human psychology. Victims are often pressured to act quickly by urgent messages that appear to come from trusted sources, making it more likely that they will click on malicious links or share confidential information.
As online scams continue to rise across Africa, there is an urgent need for governments, businesses, and individuals to enhance their cybersecurity measures. Education and awareness campaigns are crucial in helping people recognize the signs of scams and avoid becoming victims. In addition, businesses must invest in robust cybersecurity infrastructure to protect their employees and customers from online fraud.
Partnerships between governments, law enforcement agencies, and private sector organizations are also essential to combat the growing threat of online scams.
INTERPOL’s African Joint Operation against Cybercrime (AFJOC) and the INTERPOL Support Programme for the African Union (ISPA) are key initiatives that aim to strengthen cyber resilience across the continent through training, technology support, and law enforcement collaboration.