Cybercrime continues to expand across the African continent, with some regions experiencing cyber offences constituting up to 30% of all reported crimes, particularly in West and East Africa. This alarming trend was detailed in Interpol’s latest Cyber Threat Assessment Report.
The annual report highlights a significant increase in digital attacks within African member states, noting that cyber threats are becoming more sophisticated and diverse. Among the most prevalent are online scams such as phishing, ransomware, business email compromise (BEC), and digital sextortion. Several attacks have targeted critical infrastructure, including institutions like the Kenya Urban Roads Authority and Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics.
Criminal organisations operating across borders are heavily implicated in these activities. In West Africa, groups such as the transnational syndicate Black Axe have been linked to BEC fraud operations involving millions of dollars. The report reveals that South Africa and Egypt recorded the highest number of ransomware detections in 2024, with 17,849 and 12,281 cases respectively. Nigeria and Kenya follow closely behind, with 3,459 and 3,030 cases respectively, underscoring the vulnerability of the continent’s most digitalised economies.
Interpol also warns of a surge in digital sextortion cases, which have been reported in 60% of African countries. Disturbingly, many of the compromising images used in these crimes are often generated or manipulated through artificial intelligence.
Despite the rising threat landscape, the capacity of African nations to respond remains limited. A vast majority of countries recognise that significant improvements are needed in law enforcement and prosecution capabilities. Many lack vital systems such as incident reporting, digital evidence management, and threat databases. Only around 30% of nations have established notification systems, with even fewer possessing dedicated digital evidence processing systems or cyber threat databases.
Legal and institutional frameworks also present hurdles. About 75% of surveyed countries admitted that their current legal provisions are insufficient to combat cybercrime effectively, while 95% cited a lack of training, resources, or specialised tools. Regional and international cooperation remains sluggish, with 86% of countries indicating that slow investigation procedures, limited operational networks, and restricted access to data stored abroad hamper efforts. Additionally, 89% see a need to enhance collaboration with the private sector.
However, there have been some positive developments. Several African states have aligned their legislation with international standards, invested in specialised units, and participated in major operations such as Serengeti and Red Card, which have resulted in over 1,000 arrests.
Interpol advocates for stronger intergovernmental and private sector cooperation, as well as the adoption of emerging technologies to better anticipate and counter cyber threats. The report forms part of the AFJOC (African Joint Operation against Cybercrime) initiative, supported by the United Kingdom, aimed at bolstering cybersecurity capabilities across Africa.
