Nigeria recorded 3,459 ransomware threat detections in 2024, placing it third in Africa, according to INTERPOL’s latest cyberthreat report.
Nigeria ranked third in Africa for ransomware threat detections in 2024, with 3,459 cases reported, according to INTERPOL’s 2025 Africa Cyberthreat Assessment Report.
The report highlights a significant surge in cybercrime across the continent, as digital adoption increases. Egypt and South Africa topped the list with 17,849 and 12,281 detections respectively.
“Nigeria’s digital growth is exposing it to more sophisticated ransomware attacks,” the report noted, with financial, government, and telecom sectors among the worst hit.
One major incident in 2024 involved Nigerian fintech company Flutterwave, which lost $7 million to hackers. Other high-profile breaches included Kenya’s Urban Roads Authority and Cameroon’s power provider, ENEO.
LockBit, a notorious Ransomware-as-a-Service syndicate, and groups like Hunters International and BlackSuit, were responsible for major attacks across the continent.
INTERPOL warns that ransomware now ranks among Africa’s top cyberthreats, alongside scams, sextortion, and BEC.
The report urges stronger cyber defences to protect against financial losses and infrastructure disruptions.