AI Behind More Than Half of Africa’s Cybercrime, Researchers Warn

According to SHAHEDNEWS, In its latest report, titled “Africa Cyberthreat Assessment 2026,” INTERPOL said that artificial intelligence now plays a role in 55% of reported cybercrimes across the continent. The development has enabled cyberattacks to be carried out with greater speed, scale, and sophistication, making them harder for victims and even digital platforms to detect.

The 40-page report, based on survey data from 36 INTERPOL member countries in Africa, shows that cybercrime is no longer a collection of isolated attacks but has evolved into an industrialized, organized, and cross-border ecosystem.

INTERPOL warned that despite the rapid growth of Africa’s digital economy and more than 1.1 billion mobile subscribers recorded in 2025, cybercrime laws across African countries remain fragmented, while law enforcement agencies have limited preparedness to tackle AI-driven threats.

Africa’s Main Cyberthreat Hotspots

According to the report, East Africa has emerged as a major hub for mobile money fraud and ransomware attacks targeting infrastructure. Meanwhile, West and Central Africa account for the largest share of business email compromise (BEC) and romance scams targeting individuals and businesses.

Southern Africa, meanwhile, has become an attractive target for major international cybercrime groups due to its high level of internet connectivity.

Financial Losses More Than Doubled

INTERPOL said financial losses caused by cybercrime in Africa have risen from $192 million in 2024 to $484 million, more than doubling in just two years. The increase has been driven largely by AI-powered scams, identity theft, and automated social engineering campaigns.

According to the report, online scams remain the most common form of cybercrime in Africa, with criminals using social media, mobile payment systems, and AI tools to achieve their objectives.

The report also found that 72% of the countries surveyed reported the presence of organized scam centers within their borders, with the highest concentration found in West and Southern Africa.

Deepfakes and Fake Identities: A New Weapon for Cybercriminals

In another section of the report, INTERPOL warned that online sexual extortion (sextortion) and online abuse involving deepfakes and AI-generated content have increased sharply. According to data from TrendAI, an INTERPOL partner, around 600,000 cases of online sexual extortion were identified last year alone.

AI has also made business email compromise (BEC) scams more sophisticated. Criminals can now generate highly natural and convincing emails to target victims in Europe and North America, while the infrastructure used to carry out these attacks is spread across multiple countries.

Neil Jetton, head of INTERPOL’s Cybercrime Unit, highlighted the growing cyberthreat, saying that cybercrime has now become one of the region’s most significant criminal threats. He said AI has automated almost every stage of a cyberattack, from initial reconnaissance and phishing to extortion and evading detection.

At the same time, he emphasized that cooperation between countries can help identify, disrupt, and dismantle the infrastructure used by cybercriminals.

Legislation and Joint Operations

According to the report, 17 African countries enacted or amended cybercrime-related legislation in 2025. One notable initiative was the launch of an online cybercrime reporting system in Senegal to speed up investigations into crimes against children.

INTERPOL also reported the success of four major international operations: Operation Serengeti 2.0, Operation Contender 3.0, Operation Sentinel, and Operation Red Card 2.0. Together, these operations resulted in more than 1,500 arrests, the seizure of hundreds of electronic devices, and the recovery of more than $100 million in assets.

In its conclusion, INTERPOL emphasized that while artificial intelligence offers vast opportunities, it has also become one of the most important tools for cybercriminals. Tackling this growing threat will require international cooperation, up-to-date legislation, and stronger technical capabilities among law enforcement agencies.