Interpol: AI Powers Over Half of Cybercrime in Africa
Original: AI fuels more than half of cybercrime in Africa as scams surge – Interpol
Why This Matters
Rapid AI adoption by cybercriminals signals a new threat scale for Africa's fast-growing digital economy.
Interpol's African Cyberthreat Assessment Report 2026 reveals AI is involved in 55% of cybercrime across Africa. Based on data from 36 countries, financial losses surged from $192M in 2024 to $484M, driven by AI-powered fraud, stolen credentials, and social engineering attacks.
According to Interpol's African Cyberthreat Assessment Report 2026, artificial intelligence now fuels more than half (55%) of cybercrime cases recorded across the African continent. The 40-page report, drawing on data from 36 African countries, describes cybercrime as a highly organised, cross-border industry that is increasingly difficult for authorities to detect and disrupt. Africa's rapid digital expansion — with over 1.1 billion mobile subscribers in 2025 — has enlarged the attack surface significantly.
Online scams remained the most prevalent form of cybercrime in 2025, with criminals combining AI tools, social media platforms, and mobile money services to target victims at scale. Cybercrime-related financial losses climbed sharply from $192 million in 2024 to $484 million, attributed to AI-powered fraud, credential theft, and sophisticated social engineering. The report also noted that 72% of surveyed countries identified active scam centres within their borders, concentrated most heavily in West and Southern Africa.
Regional threat profiles vary: East Africa faces mobile money fraud and ransomware attacks on critical infrastructure; West and Central Africa see elevated business email compromise and romance scams; and Southern Africa's advanced connectivity makes it a prime target for international cybercriminal networks. Interpol warned that AI is making attacks faster, more convincing, and harder to distinguish from legitimate communications.