Artificial Intelligence is now being used in more than half
of all reported cybercrimes across Africa, according to INTERPOL’s African
Cyberthreat Assessment Report 2026.
The report said AI is enabling criminals to launch faster,
more sophisticated and harder-to-detect attacks.
The report paints a worrying picture of the continent’s
evolving cyber threat landscape, warning that cybercrime has shifted from
isolated criminal activity to an industrialised, borderless ecosystem powered
by emerging technologies.
Based on survey data from 36 African member countries, the
40-page report found that 55 per cent of reported cybercrimes are now
AI-enabled.
According to the report, Africa’s rapid digital
transformation-driven by more than 1.1 billion mobile subscribers recorded in
2025-has expanded opportunities for economic growth but has also exposed
individuals, businesses and governments to increasingly sophisticated cyber
threats.
Online scams remained the most frequently reported form of
cybercrime in 2025, with criminals exploiting mobile money platforms, social
media and AI-powered tools to deceive victims.
Financial institutions, telecommunications companies and
government agencies were identified as the sectors most heavily targeted by
cybercriminals.
INTERPOL also found that cybercrime-related financial losses
have more than doubled since 2024, rising from USD 192 million (Sh24.7 billion)
to USD 484 million (Sh62.6 billion).
The increase has been attributed largely to AI-facilitated
scams, credential harvesting and automated social engineering campaigns.
The report highlights the emergence of organised scam
centres across the continent, with 72 per cent of surveyed countries reporting
their presence.
Southern and West Africa recorded the highest concentration
of such operations, while East Africa was identified as a hotspot for mobile
money fraud and ransomware attacks targeting critical infrastructure.
In Central and West Africa, business email compromise
schemes and romance scams targeting both companies and individuals remained
widespread. Southern Africa’s high level of internet connectivity has also made
the region an attractive target for international cybercriminal groups seeking
to maximise disruption.
INTERPOL further warned that criminals are increasingly
using AI-generated synthetic identities to bypass biometric security systems.
These fake identities combine genuine personal information with fabricated
details, making them more difficult for financial institutions and digital
platforms to detect.
Despite the growing threat, the report notes that many
African countries continue to face challenges in responding effectively due to
fragmented cybercrime legislation and low levels of AI preparedness among law
enforcement agencies.
Neal Jetton, Director of INTERPOL’s Cybercrime Directorate,
said artificial intelligence is transforming how cybercriminals operate by
automating nearly every stage of an attack.
“Cybercrime has emerged as one of the most significant
criminal threats to the region. AI is automating every stage of a cyberattack-from
reconnaissance and phishing to extortion and evasion,” Jetton said.
He, however, noted that greater regional and international
cooperation was proving effective in disrupting criminal networks.
“However, we see that when countries work together,
cybercriminal infrastructure can be identified, disrupted and dismantled,”
he added.
INTERPOL called for stronger cooperation among African governments,
improved cybercrime legislation and greater investment in AI capabilities for
law enforcement agencies to counter the rapidly evolving threat.
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