Cybercrime accounts for over 30% of reported crimes in West and East Africa, according to Interpol’s 2025 threat report. From phishing scams to ransomware attacks, the continent faces a fast-evolving digital threat landscape.
Cybercrime has become the most dominant security concern in West and East Africa, accounting for over 30% of reported crimes in both regions, according to INTERPOL’s newly released 2025 Africa Cyberthreat Assessment Report.
The report, based on data from member states and private sector partners, shows two-thirds of surveyed countries classify cybercrime as a medium to high percentage of overall criminal activity.
“This fourth edition of the INTERPOL African Cyber Threat Assessment provides a vital snapshot of the current situation… It paints a clear picture of a threat landscape in flux, with emerging dangers like AI-driven fraud that demand urgent attention. No single agency or country can face these challenges alone,” said Neal Jetton, INTERPOL’s Cyber Crime Director.
Scam notifications rose by up to 3,000% in some countries. Phishing scams were most frequent, while ransomware and BEC attacks spiked in Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, and Egypt.
Critical infrastructure and government databases have also come under increasing cyberattacks, the report added.