The African Cyberthreat Assessment Report 2026 by INTERPOL has shed light on the escalating cybercrime landscape in Africa. The report, based on responses from 36 African countries, reveals a substantial increase in cybercrime losses, from $192 million in 2024 to $484 million in 2025. The number of identified victims also surged from 35,000 to 87,000 during the same period. However, these figures are likely underreported due to varying reporting methods and a lack of formal declaration mechanisms.
The report highlights the growing sophistication of online scams, which are becoming increasingly organized and transnational. Phishing attacks are evolving into more structured operations, often linked to human trafficking and organized crime. Mobile money platforms are a primary target, with 97% of responding countries reporting mobile money fraud. Notably, Kenya detected 123,000 fraudulent SIM cards in 2025, while Ghanaian citizens lost $1.3 million in the first quarter of 2025.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is playing an increasingly central role in cybercrime operations. According to INTERPOL, 55% of cybercrime cases in 2025 involved AI to some extent, with 8% of cases involving frequent AI use. AI is used in various aspects, including target recognition, personalized phishing messages, identity impersonation, extortion, and malware development. The rise of deepfakes, which use AI-generated audio and video content to impersonate public officials, business leaders, or victims' loved ones, is a notable manifestation of this trend.
Ransomware attacks remain a significant threat, particularly targeting public services, healthcare, telecommunications, and critical infrastructure. However, authorities face challenges in investigating these attacks, recovering encrypted data, and identifying perpetrators. The INTERPOL operation Sentinel enabled the decryption of 30 terabytes of data encrypted by ransomware in Ghana. The report also emphasizes the problem of underreporting, with 89% of respondents considering it a significant issue.
The report notes progress in cooperation among African countries, with several coordinated operations against cybercrime networks in 2025. Seventeen countries adopted or modified their cybercrime legislation during the year. However, differences in legal frameworks, technical capabilities, and data-sharing mechanisms continue to complicate cross-border investigations. INTERPOL calls for strengthened harmonization, technical capacities, information sharing, and cooperation among law enforcement agencies, private actors, and international organizations.
The report estimates that the actual economic damage from cybercrime in Africa in 2025 was at least $5 billion. The use of AI and the industrialization of scams are rapidly changing the methods employed by cybercriminals on the continent. As the threat landscape evolves, it is essential for African countries to enhance their cybersecurity measures and collaborate more effectively to combat cybercrime.
INTERPOL's report serves as a wake-up call for African countries to prioritize cybersecurity and develop effective strategies to combat the growing threat of cybercrime. By addressing the challenges and vulnerabilities highlighted in the report, African countries can work towards creating a safer and more secure online environment for their citizens.
Key points
- - Cybercrime losses in Africa increased to $484 million in 2025. - AI is playing a growing role in cybercrime operations, with 55% of cases involving AI in 2025. - The report calls for strengthened cooperation, harmonization, and technical capacities to combat cybercrime.
