INTERPOL warns AI-driven cybercrime cost Africa $484 million, with sharp rises in phishing, scams and synthetic identity fraud across Nigeria.
According to INTERPOL’s African Cyberthreat Assessment Report 2026, as cyber-related losses across the continent more than doubled to $484 million, artificial intelligence is aiding cybercrime across Africa with Nigeria rising as both a major source and target of the attacks.
A new 40-page report reveals that AI now drives 55% of reported cybercrimes across Africa, making attacks faster, more scalable and far harder for victims, banks and digital platforms to detect.
The surge comes as Africa’s digital economy expands rapidly, topping 1.1 billion mobile subscribers in 2025.
However, INTERPOL warns that patchy cybercrime laws and weak AI preparedness among law enforcement leave millions of users vulnerable to increasingly complex attacks.
Based on survey data from 36 African member states, the report highlights a shift from isolated cyberattacks to an industrialized, borderless crime ecosystem powered by AI scams, credential theft, and automated social engineering.
Online scams topped the list of reported cybercrimes in 2025, with fraudsters exploiting mobile money services, social media, and AI-generated content to trick victims. Furthermore, 72% of surveyed nations reported active scam centers, with heavy concentrations in West and Southern Africa.
West Africa remains the continent’s top hub for Business Email Compromise (BEC). Meanwhile, Nigeria logged 5,822 ransomware detections in 2025, highlighting its dual role as both a target for cybercriminals and a launching pad for attacks.
The report also highlighted a major breach of the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics website in 2025. The attack disrupted national economic data collection and fueled online disinformation, exposing the deep vulnerabilities of critical government institutions to cyber threats.
Beyond ransomware, mobile money fraud, crypto scams, Ponzi schemes, and romance scams continue to sweep the region. These operations are often disguised as legitimate fintech startups and backed by international money laundering networks.
Criminals are also increasingly using “synthetic identities” combining real personal data with fake information to bypass biometric checks. This allows them to open bank accounts, secure mobile loans, and register SIM cards under completely fake profiles.
The report noted that a lack of real-time data sharing between banks, telcos, and law enforcement remains a major loophole for cybercriminals.
Neal Jetton, Director of INTERPOL’s Cybercrime Directorate, warned that cybercrime is now one of Africa’s greatest security threats. However, coordinated global efforts are making an impact: four recent joint operations including Operation Serengeti 2.0 and Operation Red Card 2.0 led to over 1,500 arrests, hundreds of seized devices, and the recovery of more than $100 million.
To build lasting cyber resilience, INTERPOL is urging African nations to strengthen cross-border collaboration, standardize digital forensics, train law enforcement on AI tools, and deepen public-private partnerships.
