Cybercrime has become one of the leading forms of criminal activity across Africa, now representing more than 30 percent of all reported crimes in both Eastern and Western regions, according to INTERPOL’s 2025 Africa Cyberthreat Assessment Report released Monday from Lyon, France.
Released in partnership with private-sector tech firms and African law enforcement agencies, the report identifies phishing scams, ransomware, business email compromise (BEC), and digital sextortion as the continent’s most pressing cyber threats.
Ransomware and BEC attacks lead Africa’s cybercrime threats
Phishing-based scams topped the list of reported cybercrimes, with countries like Zambia seeing increases of up to 3,000 percent. Ransomware attacks also surged, particularly in South Africa and Egypt, which jointly reported more than 30,000 incidents. Nigeria and Kenya followed closely, reflecting how Africa’s most digitally advanced economies are becoming prime targets.
BEC fraud remains deeply entrenched in West Africa where syndicates like Black Axe continue to run multi-million-dollar operations, targeting businesses and institutions with sophisticated email scams.
Meanwhile, sextortion cases are rising fast, with 60 percent of countries reporting an increase. Many of these involve AI-generated explicit content, especially targeting young people.
According to INTERPOL Cybercrime Director Neal Jetton, the growing influence of artificial intelligence in scams and fraud requires “urgent attention and a united front,” as no single country can tackle the challenge alone.
Weak cybercrime laws and infrastructure undermine enforcement
INTERPOL’s report warns that most African nations lack the digital infrastructure and legal capacity to combat cybercrime effectively. Around 90percent of countries say their law enforcement and judicial systems need “significant improvement.” Only 30 percent have incident reporting systems, and even fewer maintain cyber intelligence databases.
Operational challenges include resource shortages, outdated tools, and limited staff training. Nearly all surveyed countries cited difficulty in enforcing existing laws, and 86 percent admitted that cross-border collaboration remains weak. Private sector partnerships also lag due to fragmented engagement channels and low institutional readiness.
Ambassador Jalel Chelba of AFRIPOL emphasised that cybersecurity is “no longer just a technical issue” but one that affects economic stability and digital sovereignty across the continent.
Signs of progress and strategic recommendations
Despite the gaps, INTERPOL highlighted several breakthroughs. Operations Serengeti and Red Card led to over 1,000 arrests and dismantled thousands of criminal networks. Some countries, like Kenya, have launched national forensics labs and aligned their cybercrime laws with international standards.
The report proposes six strategic actions, including boosting international cooperation, improving public awareness, and adopting emerging technologies. INTERPOL’s AFJOC initiative, supported by the UK, continues to help build long-term capacity in African law enforcement.
As cybercrime evolves and expands, the need for a coordinated, well-resourced response is more urgent than ever. Without sustained investment in legal frameworks, infrastructure, and cross-border collaboration, Africa risks falling further behind in its fight against digital crime.
